About.com Rating

The Bottom Line

Where We Come From it Never Snows, the sophomore release from Hawaii-based band Olivia the Band comes out of the gate promising a lot of fun and in that aspect, it doesn't disappoint. The message found in the lyrics, one of being able to follow your dreams while still following God's plan for your life, is definitely one that our youth need to hear. My only disappointment was that on a couple of tracks, the lyrics were a little vague and if I hadn't been reading the press kit, I would have never guessed that the song was actually about it's chosen topic.



Pros

• This album personafies fun
• Mixed with the fun is a message with meaning

Cons

• A couple of the songs have lyrics that are a little on the vague side

Description

• Style: Punk/pop
• 14 songs
• Released: January 2008

Guide Review - Olivia the Band - 'Where We Come From it Never Snows'

Olivia the Band is named after guitarist Justin Abilla's sister, who passed away about 17 years ago. In the press kit, Justin said, "As a band, we want to encourage everyone that, through the roughest times, God is always in control, and if we keep our eyes on Him, something good will always come from it."

Taking something meant for bad and making it good ... and on that premise alone, you gotta love these guys who call Hawaii home.

Add to that some really good guitar work and messages that are all positive, even when some are a bit vague, and you've got a CD that any teen who loves the power/pop/punk sound will love.

Songs like "Are You Out There," with it's cry for God to show the way and "It's On," which is directed at anyone who says you can't follow your dreams are the real gems of this release.

Fast and furious, most of the other songs follow suit. However, the guys do know how to slow things down beautifully in ballads like "What I Need" and "So Much Going On."

Where We Come From it Never Snows is one of those albums that any parent should be proud to see their teen listening to. Mine have certainly burned up their speakers with it. The best part is that since it's not overly "preachy," they can share it with their unsaved friends without feeling like they're beating them over the head with the Bible.

Olivia the Band just may be on to something!