Synth Single Review: "Fortunate Son" by The Ocean Beneath
The Ocean Beneath’s cover of the classic Creedence Clearwater Revival song Fortunate Son adds a synth-y twist to the song’s powerful message. Nath Jackson delivers it in a strong, full and expressive singing voice that puts a punch into the words. Along with the guitar that has grit to it, there are flows of sound that are touched with a pained feeling.
On the single the cover is bookended by an instrumental track entitled Recurrence featuring synths played by I Am The Swordmaster which has a warmer feeling with a throbbing dance floor friendly beat and synths that glow and shimmer through that throb.
I find the ominous feeling that The Ocean Beneath gives to the song is well-suited to the message in the words. It speaks of hidden danger as the tension is ramped up through twisting synth sounds that move under the vocals and slightly rough-edged guitar sounds that cut into the music.
The vocals are delivered with sincerity and punch by Nath Jackson. His vocal tone and the clear expression with which he sings the words make the message of the privileged and their ability to avoid responsibility that the original wanted to deliver come through just as clearly and emotionally as it did on the original CCR version of the song.
I also want to comment on Mik Crone’s soaring, gruff guitar solo that moves intricately into the music. It adds another layer of expression to the song as that guitar calls and cries out, filling the song with a sense of drama and power as it leaps through the background sounds.
As for Recurrence, its a track that contrasts well with the depth and weight of Fortunate Son, a soaring melody and pulsing dance beat adding a different sensibility to the music. There’s still a tinge of sadness in the melody, but the overall impression is one of energy and uplift. It’s a good way to balance out the single and adds a nice touch to the single.
Fortunate Son, like all good covers, adds a new dimension to an old song. The way that The Ocean Beneath uses the musical background with its ominous feeling, swirling synths and gruff guitar enhances the power of the original lyrics. Adding Recurrence gives the single balance and rounds it all out.
