God Lives Underwater is bringing their unique sound to the surface

By Elizabeth Jackson
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing writer

God Lives Underwater's new album,"Up Off The Floor," should for the most part stir the hearts of any techno/rock junkies who are looking for something alternative with an eclectic edge. The CD, due to release on Sept. 28, is a prime example of just how unique this band really is.

David Reilly and Jeff Turzo, the brains behind the music, grew up experimenting with computers and keyboards. The duo, originally from Pennsylvania, got their start in high school when they recorded a song for a local party. Since then they have produced the albums "Empty" and "Life In The So-Called Space Age." The song "From Your Mouth," off of their second album, became an instant hit and was played not only on the radio but also on MTV, finally putting the spotlight on God Lives Underwater.

The techno-like music, produced using guitars and a number of electronic instruments seems to belong in the background of a movie, the songs, "72 Hour Hold" and "Whatever You've Got," in particular. As I listened to it I found myself creating a movie scene in my head, something dramatic and sullen.

David Reilly, with a voice similar to Jethro Tull's lead singer, Ian Anderson, helps make the music all the more unusual. Who would expect an album with a techo beat to have a singer with a classic rock voice? Although the fast paced beat is uplifting, the lyrics are quite the opposite. It seems that Reilly is using his writing to release his anger and cure his depression. Reilly sings of being loved and states that, "No one does and no one will and that's the way I like it." In other lyrics he says, "I've been trying my hardest but it's not good enough," and "I've been crowned the king of insensitivity."

Out of all ten songs on the CD, the two I listened to the most were "Whatever You've Got" and "History." These songs seemed to be the most mainstream and that is most likely why I was drawn to these two in particular. I found myself searching for something familiar on an album full of music that could easily be considered far from ordinary.

Overall, if you are searching for something unusual, this is the album for you. The mixture of rock and techno, complemented by the classic voice of David Reilly is the perfect addition to any eclectic CD collection.