Music for Our Mother Ocean

MOM: Music for Our Mother Ocean is a compilation album trilogy produced by Surfdog Records to benefit the Surfrider Foundation.[1] The albums feature original songs as well as covers – many sharing a surfing or summer theme – by a range of popular artists.[2][3]

MOM: Music for Our Mother Ocean
Cover of the first volume in the series
Compilation album by
ReleasedVol. 1: July 2, 1996 (1996-07-02)
Vol. 2: August 26, 1997 (1997-08-26)
Vol. 3: August 10, 1999 (1999-08-10)
LabelSurfdog, Interscope, Hollywood
ProducerDave Kaplan, Pierce Flynn

Reception

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Entertainment Weekly's Mike Flaherty gave Volume 1 a "B" rating. He called the compilation less sanctimonious than traditional benefit albums, noting the number of celebrity artists, and he singled-out Pearl Jam's cover of the "loopy" "Gremmie Out of Control" and Helmet's "ham-fisted" cover of "Army of Me".[2] Marcus Greville of the Green Left Weekly stated that due to the inconsistent song styles the album was "appealing, but difficult to become engaged in". He gave the album 7/10, and recommended the album as a "gift for a surfer friend".[1] David Yonke of the Toledo Blade called it "one of the most enjoyable compilation albums to be issued in a while", but noted that the "MOM" abbreviation should have been "MOMO".[4]

Volume 2 received a "B−" from Entertainment Weekly's Steven Mirkin. He preferred the "freshness" of ska bands like 311 and Mighty Mighty Bosstones to the more surf rock-inspired tracks, calling the Beach Boys' "Summer in Paradise" "especially tired". He commended Dick Dale's "Misirlou '97" as being the only track to successfully bridge the old and new styles, and called Jewel's "V-12 Cadillac" "a loser, ecologically and musically."[5]

In his review of Volume 3, Steve Crawford of the Houston Chronicle called the series both a "terrific product" due to the disparate musicians working to help the environment, and "tepid bathwater" due to many "halfhearted" tracks. He called the covers of "Little Deuce Coupe" from Brian Setzer, "Here Comes the Sun" from Allison Moorer and "Summer in the City" from the Butthole Surfers as "tame and routine". He viewed some songs more favorably, calling Everclear's "Walk, Don't Run" "rip-roaring", and Sprung Monkey's "Coconut" "clever and bouncy".[3] AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave the Surfrider Foundation credit for compiling exclusive "first-rate" tracks performed by major artists, but called the result a balance "between the good and the mediocre". He was the most positive about the "frazzled beach party song" "Electric Music and the Summer People" by Beck, the "strangely ambitious" "The Whale Song" from Pearl Jam, and the collaboration between Snoop Dogg & Rage Against the Machine, "Snoop Bounce". Also mentioned favorably were "Little Deuce Coupe" from Brian Setzer & Brian Wilson, "Walk, Don't Run" from Everclear "Winter Waves" from Chris Isaak, and the "fun punk throwaway" of the Beastie Boys' "Nothing to Say". Sprung Monkey's "Coconut" was mentioned as one of the few "trying moments", and he did point out that tracks from Paul McCartney and James Taylor had been previously released, but felt "the good intentions outweigh the end result". Ultimately he felt that the varied nature of the tracks would prevent listeners from enjoying the entire album, but that it was still more enjoyable than typical benefit albums.[6]

Track listings

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MOM: Music for Our Mother Ocean (1996)[7]
No.TitleWriter(s)PerformerLength
1."Intro: Ancient Dolphin Dance" Chumash people0:18
2."Good Times"Steve Summers, Mike Summers, William Riley, Tony Delocht, Ernie LongoriaSprung Monkey2:56
3."Gremmie Out of Control" (originally performed by The Silly Surfers)Jimmie Haskell, Gary UsherPearl Jam2:24
4."Honky Tonk" (originally performed Bill Doggett)Billy Butler, Shep Shepherd, Bill Doggett, Clifford ScottThe Brian Setzer Orchestra4:29
5."California Sun" (originally performed by Joe Jones)Henry Glover, Morris LevyRamones1:47
6."Bali Eyes" (from Good God's Urge, 1996)Perry Farrell, Stephen Perkins, Peter DiStefano, Martyn LeNoblePorno for Pyros3:26
7."Surfin' U.S.A." (originally performed by The Beach Boys)Chuck Berry, Brian WilsonPennywise1:44
8."Surfin' Bird" (originally performed by The Trashmen)Turner Wilson, John Harris, Carl White, Alfred FrazierSilverchair2:20
9."Wipe Out" (originally performed by The Surfaris)Bob Berryhill, Pat Connolly, Ron Wilson, Jim FullerGary Hoey with Donavon Frankenreiter3:30
10."Never Give Up" (from Psychedelic Surf Groove, 1996)Jai VatukCommon Sense4:17
11."I Can't Surf" (from Liquor in the Front, 1994)Jim Heath, Jimbo Wallace, Taz BentleyReverend Horton Heat2:40
12."Mama Nature"Pato Banton, Stephen MorrisonPato Banton and the Reggae Revolution4:28
13."Mr. Know It All" (live)Les Claypool, Larry LaLonde, Tim AlexanderPrimus4:23
14."Sailin' On" (originally performed by Bad Brains)Darryl Jenifer, Dr. KnowNo Doubt3:35
15."Army of Me" (originally performed by Björk)Björk, Graham MasseyHelmet4:28
16."My Wave" (from Superunknown, 1994)Chris Cornell, Kim ThayilSoundgarden5:12
17."Quiet Warrior"JewelJewel4:07
18."Hateful"Art Alexakis, Craig Montoya, Greg EklundEverclear1:36
19."Blackwing"Jason Ross, Jason PollockSeven Mary Three3:47
20."Netty's Girl" (from "Pass the Mic", 1992)Mike D, Ad-Rock, Adam Yauch, Money MarkBeastie Boys3:28
21."Badfish" (from 40oz. to Freedom, 1992)Bradley NowellSublime3:05
22."Waggy" (from They Came to Conquer... Uranus, 1995)Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge, Scott RaynorBlink-1822:54
23."Closing: Mahalo Ke Akua" Mikaele Opio1:23


MOM II: Music for Our Mother Ocean (1997)[8]
No.TitleWriter(s)PerformerLength
1."Intro"Dick Dale, Pierce FlynnDick Dale with Pato Banton0:30
2."Misirlou '97"Nicholas RoubanisDick Dale and Gary Hoey3:02
3."I Get Around" (originally performed by The Beach Boys)Brian Wilson, Mike LovePennywise1:56
4."Atta Girl"Steve Summers, Mike Summers, William Riley, Tony Delocht, Ernie LongoriaSprung Monkey2:18
5."V-12 Cadillac"Denny Aaberg, Ernest KnappJewel3:26
6."Ocean" (originally performed by The Pietasters)Todd Eckhardt, Tom Goodin, Steve JacksonThe Mighty Mighty Bosstones with The Pietasters3:36
7."Fly Juice"Brian SetzerThe Brian Setzer Orchestra3:38
8."Tonight" (cover version of song from West Side Story)Leonard Bernstein, Stephen SondheimPorno for Pyros3:37
9."Hydroponic" (from Music, 1993)Chad Sexton, Nick Hexum, Doug Martinez3113:55
10."Barflies at the Beach" (based on "Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing)" by Louis Prima)Eddie Nichols, Louis PrimaRoyal Crown Revue3:01
11."Paddle Out" (from Sublime, 1996)Bradley Nowell, Eric Wilson, Bud GaughSublime1:15
12."The Other Side of the World"J. R. Richards, Rodney Browning Cravens, Scot Alexander, George Pendergast, Jim WoodDishwalla3:45
13."Acid"Glen Phillips, Todd Nichols, Dean Dinning, Randy GussToad the Wet Sprocket3:57
14."Get It Right" (from Ignition, 1992)Dexter Holland, Noodles, Greg Kriesel, Ron WeltyThe Offspring3:05
15."Excuse Me Mr." (from Fight for Your Mind, 1995)Ben Harper, J.P. PlunierBen Harper5:24
16."Angels of the Silences" (from Recovering the Satellites, 1996)Adam Duritz, Charlie Gillingham, David Bryson, Matt Malley, Ben Mize, Dan VickreyCounting Crows3:38
17."Trouble on the Horizon"Jimmy BuffettJimmy Buffett6:33
18."Summer in Paradise" (live June 29, 1993, at Wembley Arena)Mike Love, Terry Melcher, Craig FallThe Beach Boys4:21
19."The Blue Light of the Underwater Sun" (from "Everytime You Touch Me", 1995)MobyMoby4:19
20."Ocean Warriors"Pato Banton, Pierce Flynn, Dave KaplanPato Banton3:56
21."Giver Man"Donavon Frankenreiter, SunchildSunchild4:27
22."Closing"Dick DaleDick Dale0:47


MOM 3 (1999)[9]
No.TitleWriter(s)PerformerLength
1."Little Deuce Coupe" (originally performed by The Beach Boys)Roger Christian, Brian WilsonBrian Setzer with Brian Wilson2:35
2."Coconut" (originally performed by Harry Nilsson)Harry NilssonSprung Monkey3:25
3."Summer in the City" (originally performed by The Lovin' Spoonful)Steve Boone, John Sebastian, Mark SebastianButthole Surfers3:13
4."Electric Music and the Summer People" (from "Cold Brains", 1999)BeckBeck3:34
5."Snoop Bounce"Snoop Dogg, Tom Morello, Tim Commerford, Brad WilkSnoop Dogg with members of Rage Against the Machine6:04
6."Summer"Lisa LoebLisa Loeb2:12
7."Ocean Size" (Butthole Surfers remix)Eric Avery, Perry Farrell, Dave Navarro, Stephen PerkinsJane's Addiction4:22
8."The Whale Song"Jack IronsPearl Jam3:33
9."Here Comes the Sun" (originally performed by The Beatles)George HarrisonAllison Moorer3:08
10."Wild Life" (from Wild Life, 1971)Paul McCartneyPaul McCartney and Wings6:39
11."Gone Surfin'" (from Money, 1999)Gary HoeyGary Hoey3:12
12."Sea Cruise" (originally performed by Huey "Piano" Smith; from Margaritaville Cafe: Late Night Gumbo, 1995)Huey "Piano" SmithJimmy Buffett3:05
13."How Strong"Anthony Kiedis, Flea, John Frusciante, Chad SmithRed Hot Chili Peppers4:42
14."Walk, Don't Run" (originally performed by Johnny Smith)Johnny SmithEverclear1:59
15."Wicked Man" (from "Ground on Down", 1995)Ben HarperBen Harper5:04
16."Mother"Greg CampSmash Mouth3:06
17."Gaia" (from Hourglass, 1997)James TaylorJames Taylor5:24
18."Nothing to Say"Mike D, Ad-Rock, Adam Yauch, Amery SmithBeastie Boys1:16
19."Sunland"Jeremy KayJKay4:32
20."Money"Jeremy Popoff, A. Jay PopoffLit2:57
21."Winter Waves"Chris IsaakChris Isaak2:46

References

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  1. ^ a b "Good gift for a surfer | Green Left Weekly". Greenleft.org.au. 1996-10-30. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
  2. ^ a b Mike Flaherty (1996-07-26). "MOM: Music for Our Mother Ocean Review". EW.com. Archived from the original on October 9, 2008. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
  3. ^ a b "RECORDINGS 09/05/1999 | Archives | Chron.com – Houston Chronicle". Chron.com. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
  4. ^ David Yonke (4 August 1996). "Good music for some good causes". Toledo Blade. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
  5. ^ Steven Mirkin (1997-08-22). "MOM II: Music for Our Mother Ocean Review". EW.com. Archived from the original on November 22, 2008. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
  6. ^ Thomas, Stephen (1999-08-10). "M.O.M., Vol. 3: Music for Our Mother Ocean – Various Artists". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
  7. ^ Thomas, Stephen (1996-07-02). "M.O.M., Vol. 1: Music for Our Mother Ocean – Various Artists". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
  8. ^ Ruhlmann, William (1997-08-26). "M.O.M., Vol. 2: Music for Our Mother Ocean – Various Artists". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
  9. ^ Thomas, Stephen (1999-08-10). "M.O.M., Vol. 3: Music for Our Mother Ocean – Various Artists". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-05-11.