Classic Album Review: "Healthy In Paranoid Times" by Our Lady Peace

Release Date: August 2005
Producer: Bob Rock

According to Raine Maida, it took OLP 1145 days to write, record, mix and master “Healthy In Paranoid Times.” The final CD version contains 12 songs, but 45 were written and recorded.

There was so much shit that went into the making of this album. It was the band’s sixth studio album and second with producer, Bob Rock. Right off the bat, you know it’s a different sound then the Mike Turner/Arnold Lanni OLP. Put it this way, Gravity and H.I.P.T are the second era of OLP. There was so much creative tension during the making this record that it was almost unbearable for all parties. According to the band, Our Lady Peace came dangerously close to breaking up during the making of the record. Producer Bob Rock and each member of the band walked away or was fired from the project least once but always came back to finish the album.

Healthy in Paranoid Times is another different album for the band. Singles “Where Are You”, “Angels Losing Sleep” and “Will The Future Blame Us” are faster numbers and are some of the few heavier songs on the album. Beyond that, the overall resulting sound was more commercial rock – with less hard rock and more light tones, mid-tempo and pop-rock numbers. Raine Maida’s lyrics once again grace heavy world issues and personal anguishes. In the song “Picture”, he sings "I'm waiting by the telephone, breathing through a giant rubber hose, God only knows / Photographs of you and me, pictures of the friends you used to know / Where did they go?" That is some pretty heavy stuff.

The bands musical abilities once again shine to their fullest on this record. On a personal note, I was impressed with what guitarist Steve Mazur brought to OLP. Both he and Duncan showcase some catchy riffs and polished melodies.

The concluding track, “Al Genina (Leave The Light On) is beautifully written, acoustic rock ballad that describes Raine’s experience in the middle east. Raine Maida is a member of War Child Canada, an organization that aids families in third world countries.

Overall, it’s a good record. It was a challenging record the band, and its outcome was exceptional. Our Lady Peace has always been a great band, creating many classics and making great records. However, did this album really need to take 1145 days to make? I don’t think so.

Rating: 4/5

Track-listing

01. Angels Losing Sleep *
02. Will The Future Blame Us? *
03. Picture ***
04. Where Are You?
05. Wipe That Smile Off Your Face
06. Love And Trust **
07. Boy *
08. Apology
09. The World On A String
10. Don`t Stop
11. Walking In Circles
12. Al Genina (Leave A Light On)