Album Review: Reed Foehl’s Once an Ocean – A Journey Through Heartstrings and Hazy Days
If you’re the kind of person who likes their music with a side of soul-soothing storytelling, Reed Foehl’s Once an Ocean might just be your next favorite thing. Released in 2009 under Neverfoehl Records (yes, that’s his name, don’t @ me), this album is a delightful mishmash of Pop/Rock, Folk, Country, and even some World vibes. It’s like someone took all the good bits from different genres, threw them into a blender, and hit “puree.” The result? Something smooth, unexpected, and oddly satisfying.
Let’s dive into two tracks that stuck with me because they’re basically earworms with emotional baggage.
First up, “Only In Your Arms”—a track so sweet it could give you cavities if you’re not careful. This one feels like lying on a grassy hill at sunset, staring at clouds while wondering why life can’t always feel this simple. Foehl’s voice has this raw, unpolished charm to it, like he recorded it after chugging coffee and scribbling lyrics on a napkin. There’s nothing overproduced here; instead, it’s got that lived-in vibe that makes you want to call your ex—or maybe just hug yourself awkwardly. Either way, it sticks.
Then there’s “Once an Ocean,” which I swear sounds like the soundtrack to every road trip movie you’ve ever loved but never actually taken. The melody sways between hopeful and haunting, kinda like when you think about all the places you’ve been versus where you wanna go. Lyrically, it’s poetic without being pretentious—no overly flowery metaphors or anything. Just straight-up honesty wrapped in acoustic guitar goodness. You’ll find yourself humming it later, probably while stuck in traffic or waiting for your toast to pop.
The rest of the album follows suit, with gems like “Goodbye World” tugging at your heartstrings and “Waves” making you question if Reed secretly read your diary. But honestly, what stands out most is how genuine everything feels. No auto-tuned nonsense, no desperate attempts to chase trends—it’s just Foehl doing his thing, and doing it well.
In a world full of albums trying too hard to impress, Once an Ocean reminds us that sometimes simplicity wins. Sure, it’s not gonna knock Billie Eilish off her throne anytime soon (she wasn’t even famous yet back then anyway), but who cares? This record isn’t about flashy production or TikTok virality. It’s about real people, real feelings, and melodies that linger longer than last week’s leftovers.
So here’s my hot take: If Reed Foehl ever decided to re-release this album as a vinyl, I’d buy it faster than you can say “indie folk revival.” Until then, stream it, share it, or heck, burn it onto a CD if you still have one of those players kicking around. Because trust me, once you let these songs wash over you, you’ll realize oceans aren’t the only things that leave ripples.
Oh, and P.S.—if Reed reads this review, hit me up. I’ve got ideas for your next album cover. How does “pensive guy standing by a campfire” sound?
