Matheos recruited Moore and Dream Theater's then-drummer Mike Portnoy to perform on what was originally planned to be a Matheos solo album. Matheos and Portnoy originally planned to produce a progressive metal album similar in style to Matheos' work in Fates Warning. Moore changed the music's direction, incorporating electronica into the original progressive metal sound. The band's debut album was released by InsideOut Music in 2003.
OSI was originally intended to be a one-off project, but Matheos and Moore found they both had gaps in their schedules so produced a follow-up. Free was released in 2006, with Portnoy returning to play drums as a session musician rather than a full band member, due to personal and musical differences between him and Moore. Blood was released in 2009, with Porcupine Tree drummer Gavin Harrison replacing Portnoy. The fourth album Fire Make Thunder was released in 2012 by Metal Blade Records, with Harrison once again on drums.
Moore has described OSI's sound as "a new approach to progressive rock", combining elements of progressive metal and electronica. Moore considers the two genres to be "almost natural enemies", and that the conflict between the two genres "keeps [the music] interesting". Matheos cites progressive rock and heavy metal bands such as Genesis, Jethro Tull, Black Sabbath and UFO as influences. Moore described his influences as minimal techno, experimental, electronic musicians and "bands that play live and then chop it up".
Matheos and Moore primarily work alone, exchanging files and ideas by email. The writing process for all OSI's albums has been the same, with Matheos sending Moore an idea "from just a guitar riff to elaborate, almost completed songs", which Moore then edits and sends back to Matheos. Moore, the band's vocalist and lyricist, has described the process of writing lyrics as an "audio Rorschach test". The lyrics on Office of Strategic Influence feature political themes, but the lyrics on later releases are less political, instead being based on Moore's personal experiences. "I'll start writing a song that has a little bit of a world view or political view or something," he said, "but then by the time I'm finished the lyrics it'll be about a relationship or something like that." On Blood, Moore largely abandoned his earlier stream-of-consciousness approach to writing lyrics, in an attempt to make the lyrics more coherent. "I didn't want it to be like 'Oh, you get your own impression of the lyrics. Everybody has their own idea!' I wanted to have an idea that I wanted to communicate, and something communicable," he explained.
Moore has acknowledged the narrow range of his vocals. He considers his vocal style to "[come] from how I feel when I’m singing, when I'm in the zone of writing lyrics and recording which, a lot of times, comes as the same time. It's sort of an introspective time. A lot of the material lends itself to that kind of voice and that kind of spirit."
2. Osi is the stage name of Israeli-born jazz singer Osi Lewin (pronounced Oh-See). To date, she has only released one studio album, 'Whisper Not', in 2003. The album is a collection of multilingual songs.
Osi is best known to New York cabaret audiences for her riveting star-turn in the Dick Barclay production of PIAF, a tribute to the great French singer Edith Piaf. Osi also appeared for a year-long run at the Hampshire House (in the Plantation Room) where she honed her Brazilian repertoire. Both shows influenced this debut album, titled after the song by the great jazz composer Benny Golson. Osi’s bright voice illuminates the Weiss/Shearing standard, Lullaby of Birdland, and the Rodgers & Hammerstein ballad, Love Look Away, and melts us with the searing Piaf song, Rien De Rien.
Born in Israel, Osi was raised in Israel and for a short time in Los Angeles. She currently makes her home in New York City. Whisper Not was produced by Ray Passman and Emmanuel Mann for LML Music.
BLOOD
OSI Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
i thought you'd get it
it's been a long time
but I finally beat the blood
back like you
it's been a long time
let's just forget it
you gotta drive lines
and put it back in your heart
you helped me to cut our losses
'cause dreaming isn't living
don't come home
enough is enough coin tosses
we don't know how to treat it
or leave it alone
we got what we want
ask anyone
but war is still war
it's medicine
the wind's at our back
when we attack
'cause God is our man
he understands
the heart the heart
it beats for blood
The lyrics to OSI's song "Blood" seem to describe the end of a rocky relationship, or perhaps a tumultuous partnership in general. The singer acknowledges that it's been a long time since they expected their partner to understand something about themselves (presumably the singer's inner workings), but they've finally managed to "beat the blood" and move on. There's a sense of distance and detachment - the singer almost gives their partner permission to forget about the past ("let's just forget it").
The singer seems to recognize that their partner taught them something important ("you helped me to cut our losses"), but ultimately concludes that "dreaming isn't living." There's a clear message of finality - "don't come home" - and a sense that they've exhausted all their options ("enough is enough coin tosses"). Despite the fact that they "got what we want," the singer acknowledges the ongoing reality of conflict ("war is still war") and the need for some sort of medicine to manage it.
Line by Line Meaning
it's been a long time
The amount of time that has passed since something is quite significant.
i thought you'd get it
Assuming that someone understands or comprehends a particular situation or circumstance.
but I finally beat the blood
Overcoming a challenging obstacle or addiction.
back like you
Returning to a similar pattern or behavior as someone else.
let's just forget it
Choosing to move on from a past issue or conflict.
you gotta drive lines
Taking intentional steps to find a solution or way forward.
and then slowly trace the veins
Methodically understanding the root cause or issue at hand.
and put it back in your heart
Reconnecting with one's emotional or moral compass to make a decision or take action.
you helped me to cut our losses
Aiding in minimizing the damage or loss from a situation.
'cause dreaming isn't living
Acknowledging that having aspirations or dreams isn't the same as taking action to achieve them.
don't come home
Preferring distance from someone who has caused harm or difficulty.
enough is enough coin tosses
Not wishing to leave important decisions or outcomes to chance.
we don't know how to treat it
Confusion around how to manage or approach a complex issue.
or leave it alone
Uncertainty around whether to address or ignore a particular problem.
we got what we want
Achieving a desired outcome or objective.
ask anyone
Asserting that others would concur or agree with the singer's view.
but war is still war
Despite apparent victory or success, the underlying conflict or tension still exists.
it's medicine
The conflict or struggle may be unpleasant, but it has a positive outcome or value.
the wind's at our back
A favorable situation or set of circumstances exists to enable success.
when we attack
Moving forward with a plan or strategy in order to achieve an objective or overcome an obstacle.
'cause God is our man
Reliance on faith or spirituality to provide direction or guidance.
he understands
Believing that a higher power has knowledge and insight into a complex situation.
the heart the heart
Emphasizing the importance of the emotional center or core of a human being.
it beats for blood
The body and mind are driven by basic human desires or impulses, such as survival and self-preservation.
Contributed by Luke W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@RedCapicua
A magnificent album, so underrated
@almor2445
I was listening to this in the background then heard Mikael Akerfeldt on track 8 and spat my tea out. Opeth are my joint favourite band along with Porcupine Tree/Steven Wilson! This album is awesome!
@halthammerzeit
Yup. No wonder OSI is supergroup.
@goon-705
SW was on their first album on the track shutDOWN.
@pwroniszewski
Gavin is fenomenal drummer!!!
@johnmills6373
Are you working on your Stand up Comedy Act? Gavin!!!!
@pwroniszewski
@@johnmills6373What dose of vaccine are you on?
@Pierre_out_here
goosebumps beautiful album
@SkorinkA
I'm glad I found this band
@franciscojoaquina877
Second that!