Another reader-requested WYSL entry, Hershey, Pennsylvania’s the Ocean Blue combined their youthful energy and love of early ’80s alternative and new wave music into a relaxing, atmospheric blend of evocative music full of imagery and thankfully, hooks. After a few bright years in the alternative major-label music spotlight, the band found itself taking the indie route to relatively less acclaim, even though their sound stayed consistent. So, why should you like the Ocean Blue? The evidence, please:

The Band Sire Sired: Pioneering new wave label Sire Records was a huge influence on the Ocean Blue, as the band immersed itself in the label’s roster, including the Smiths, Echo & The Bunnymen, New Order, and more. Still in high school, the group proudly wore these influences on their sleeves, becoming one of the first bands to truly reflect the pedigree of the early ’80s alternative sound on their self-titled debut. “Between Something And Nothing,” the group’s first modern rock radio hit, came off like an Ocean Rain outtake, and MTV hit “Ballerina Out Of Control,” from the band’s second album, Cerulean, sounded like Bernard Sumner was the new lead singer of the Smiths:

The strength of the band’s high school-written material was enough to get the band signed to a major label in 1988 … Sire Records. (more…)