Being As An Ocean - Bashful But Honest Words Carried In Music: A Feature

By rightfully pushing the written word to its limits, Californian band Being As An Ocean is a true advocate for rough around the edges music that pulsates and connects with listeners. They have also been placed into categories, but don’t feel like they fit a particular mold. They’re unique, although many people will say that the act’s sound is drenched in post-hard-core dramatics.

The band doesn't want to be pigeonholed or put in a frame, they crave to be free to do as they please, and this ethos gives them time to produce exhilarating albums, records of poetic nightmares and ruthlessness. They’ve thrown to the world four studio albums, all of which have purpose and rail against the grain. They’re somber, loud, harsh, but gratifying in a morbid way.

Lead singer Joel Quartuccio bellows his grievances throughout the band’s body of work. He’s hurt and feeling the constraints of despair, screaming through a microphone wet with saliva and pounding the walls with fists clenched. Morbid thoughts run through his mind, love collides with heartache, battle-hard feelings cripple him, and it’s all heard throughout the music—the sounds, and the beat of dirty riffs, the fearless drumming, and those gritty vocals. Bluntness is also evident in the lyrics, as they play a pivotal part in the band’s output and makeup.

Debut album Dear G-D started all of this. It is a record raw in its delivery. It does blast through the cobwebs and bang the brain, but that’s what Being As An Ocean stands for, loud music worthy of battling the storm. Songs such as "The Loneliness Will Not Be The Death Of Me" and "This Room Is Alive" make Dear G-D a true winner.

From then on, the band released their seminal record How We Both Wondrously Perish in 2014. To this day, the album resonates. It empowers, but also quivers the emotions. There are songs of significance, tracks worthy of praise. From the beautiful darkness of "The Poets Cry For More" to the brutality of "We Drag The Dead On Leashes," the album proves to be their ultimate best.

How We Both Wondrously Perish hasn’t catapulted Being As An Ocean into the mainstream sector, nor has it boosted the band’s exposure dramatically is unknown, but the band doesn’t care much about being the biggest. They want to see their fans become at one with peace, to let the music resonate. Emotion drives people, and this act’s sound is a brash, but emotive roller coaster. Succumbing to the emotion won’t cripple you, but it may deliver a shiver, and it may radically change your perspective on hard-core music.

There is a thin line between bashfulness and subtlety, and on these powerful records we can face our demons head on. Being As An Ocean can forever be your musical beacon, a sincere part of your life. If you desire easy going noises then this isn’t for you, but if you crave a departure from pop notes, then grab onto it with a grip stronger than steel.

In their charge, Being As An Ocean have managed to break down obstacles. Their engrossing, undiluted, songs aren’t going to fit everyone’s criteria. Hopefully, one of their songs, just one, can offer a disenchanted traveler a place to rest their thoughts.

And to be truthful, Being As An Ocean write with a dark flair. Their worlds are disjointed, there’s no doubt, their minds aren’t immaculate, but it makes this band from America innovative. If you listen on, you may cascade into the meaning with answers, or you may just fall deeply into the instrumentals like a paper-thin note.

A Truly Poignant Wonder.