Coming out of their self-induced five year hibernation, Canadian band Our Lady Peace have resurfaced in the last year with the release of Somethingness Vol. 1 and a large North American tour. Coinciding the release with the twentieth anniversary of their hit album Clumsy, the tour promises to be a veritable celebration of the band’s long run and the evolution of their post-grunge, alternative rock tastes. While Vol. 2 of their Somethingness series is still due out in January, Vol. 1 should be enough to hold fans over until the full release of the band’s meticulously compiled collection is completed next year. With the first half of their Somethingness series out, Our Lady Peace’s choice to remain quiet for so long was obviously a strategic one and the payoff has been huge if Vol. 1 is anything to go by. Songs like, “Hiding Place for Hearts,” “Falling Into Place,” and the single, “Drop Me In the Water,” all comb through the band’s arsenal and penchant for rawly cut, brash rock and is a refreshing return for fans who’d been awaiting the band’s inevitable return. Its opening track alone, “Hiding Place for Hearts,” is a surge of anthemic piano growths and percussive marches, and is a sublime introduction to the band’s sonically expansive ambitions.

Clumsy debuted in 1997 with the singles, “SuperMan’s Dead,” “4am,” and “Clumsy,” and quickly attained platinum status in the U.S. and diamond in Canada. With the final leg of their tour nearing its close and ending with what will no doubt be a combustible finale at the El Rey, Our Lady Peace has been dishing out hits from across their discography and giving a satisfying taste of their newest collection of songs as well. With the band’s last hiatus between albums lasting an excruciating five years, it’d be a grave mistake to miss out on their return to Los Angeles.

Words: Steven Ward

Our Lady Peace will be playing a headlining show at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles on November 21. You can also pre-order the Somethingness Vol. 2 and also purchase VIP packages for their tour via Pledge Music, where 5% of the money will go to War Child, a charity the band supports. Visit the band’s website and Facebook to stay updated on future releases and show announcements.