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.
Head
OSI Lyrics
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The lyrics of OSI's song "Head" seem to be about someone who appears to have everything under control in their mind, despite having issues with their conscience. The singer acknowledges this and admits that they won't be shutting themselves off from the world like they've done before. The line "Got another flag here says my mailman maybe someone stole yours from your door?" could be interpreted in multiple ways, perhaps suggesting that the singer has received a message that the person they're addressing didn't get. Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of uncertainty about one's own thoughts and actions, and possibly a desire for clarity or resolution.
Looking at the context of the song, it was released in 2006 as part of OSI's album "Free". OSI is a progressive rock collaboration between Jim Matheos (guitarist of the band Fates Warning) and Kevin Moore (ex-keyboardist of the band Dream Theater). The album was well-received critically and commercially, peaking at #19 on the Heatseekers chart in the US.
Line by Line Meaning
I think you've got it alright in your Head yeah I think you got it alright in your Head.
I believe you have a clear understanding of your thoughts and ideas, and it reflects in your actions as well.
There's something pretty fucked up with your conscience but I'd say you got it alright in your Head.
Your moral compass or inner voice may be flawed and irrational, but you still manage to make rational decisions.
I ain't gonna shut down all my windows I ain't gonna shut down like before.
I refuse to close off all aspects of my life due to fear or past experiences.
Got another flag here says my mailman maybe someone stole yours from your door?
I received a notification about a package, but maybe someone stole yours before you could receive it.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JIM MATHEOS, KEVIN MOORE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind