Artist: Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls
Album: Welcome to Wizard Rock
Release Date: November 21, 2006

Reviewed by Kimberly Cheesepuff

Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls’ CD, Welcome to Wizard Rock, is one of the best CD’s I’ve ever come across, Wizard Rock and muggle music alike. From beginning to end, you can tell that Christian Caldeira, the sole member of the band, put a huge amount of work into the making of it. The lyrics are very catchy, the music is very well-put together, and the quality of the CD is overall outstanding.

All of the songs he originally put on his Myspace were completely re-recorded for the album, including “The Boy Who Lived” and “We Are the DA.” The songs his fans first fell in love with were made, if possible, even better. But along with these original favorites come new songs! “Hogsmeade Hop” is on the CD, as well as “Trio in Trouble” and “Mischief Managed.”

The album opens up with not a song, but a bit of drama. Backed with music composed by Christian Caldeira himself, the first track, a “homage to classic radio theater”, brings the character Oliver Boyd to life, and also gives the CD a purpose – Oliver Boyd must bring the Wizarding World to light for his fellow muggles, so that they may be prepared for the day when You-Know-Who causes mayhem on their end, a task given to him by a stranger over the phone at 4 A.M. in the morning. Props to Christian for doing the one thing I didn’t think was possible: making the CD more interesting that it already was.

After that, the CD goes straight into the song “We Are the DA.” From Harry’s point of view, this song is a poppy rock tune that tells of the secret Defense Against the Dark Arts club, Dumbledore’s Army.

Next is “Get on the Bus.” This song is incredibly silly, and very fun to listen to. It’s about how much trouble Harry is having at Number 4, Privet Drive during the summer before his third year. Thank goodness everyone’s favorite (and slightly dangerous) bus was there to whisk him away!

The third track is “Dumbledore’s Song,” and if you’re still not healed from the shock and misery of the Headmaster’s death in the sixth book, this is probably not the right song to listen to. Featured as a Song of the Week on The Chocolate Frog, it’s a very sad and slow song, in which Harry laments the loss of his mentor and wonders how on Earth he’s supposed to finish off Voldemort without Dumbledore’s help. Poor Harry.

Uh-oh! Is putting two tear-jerkers in a row such a good idea? Well, it seems to work out for Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls! “Trio in Trouble” is, of course, about our favorite trio, Harry, Ron, and Hermione, how they are always risking their necks, and how all that will be dwarfed by the upcoming war.

If you are a rabid shipper like me, than you will most likely be cheered up by this next song. “Hermione’s Song (You & Me)” is from (who else?) Ron’s point of view. Although it’s nowhere near cheery, it’s always nice to hear the youngest Weasley boy profess his love for Hermione in song, no? In this sweet acoustic ballad, Ron admits his feelings towards the one and only bushy-haired, know-it-all.

Next in the line-up is my personal favorite, “Mischief Managed.” Harry confesses his excitement about receiving the Marauder’s Map from Fred and George. I don’t blame him. I mean, if you owned a map that told you where everyone in your school was, where they were going, and what they were doing, wouldn’t you write a song about it, too?!

“Oh Ginny” is a jazzy tune in which Harry explains why he and Ginny can no longer be together. Not wanting Voldemort to target her (again), just because she’s close to him, he attempts to get as far away as possible. *sigh* Men and their commitment issues.

One of the first songs that appeared on Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls’ Myspace, “The Boy Who Lived” still remains one of the best. This song is a short narration on how Harry Potter came to be Harry Potter.

“Hogsmeade Hop” is one of those songs you just have to dance to. Really. Either that, or sing along with. Not to mention some air guitar-ing here and there.

And finally, the last song is (or is it?) “End of an Era.” Any die-hard Harry Potter fan is required to get at least a little teary-eyed when hearing this song.

I don’t think it’s a far shot to claim that every Harry Potter fan can relate to the words in this song. What’s going to happen when the last book comes out? Will this era ever really end?

The CD ends similarly to how it began – with Oliver Boyd and the mysterious caller, whose identity we learn.

“There’s some surprises on the CD, so make sure you listen to the WHOLE CD,” says Christian. All I can say about this is to do as he says, people. Trust me, it’s worth it.

There you have it, my song-by-song review of Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls’ first (and hopefully not last) album, “Welcome to Wizard Rock.” But please, please, please don’t take my word on it. You need to hear it for yourself, and you’ll be glad you did. Do yourself a favor and buy the CD! All I can say is this: This band, which apparently came out of nowhere, is definitely going somewhere.

For more information on how to purchase the album, go to Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls Myspace page, or you can buy the album electronically at the band’s Soundclick, although I HIGHLY recommend the CD, because the intro and outro are not included in the Soundclick, nor the “surprises.”