This collection of 12 songs take you on a new road for OLP in that they have nothing left to prove to the record labels; this release is all about what is important to the band. Not unlike U2’s "Rattle and Hum" in that "Healthy" ponders the questions of life in a more worldly view. This is consistent with OLP’s previous multi platinum releases, but this time OLP burst forward with a fresher sound.
Opening up the gates with the very catchy “Angels/Losing/Sleep” the relentless musical progression gets your toes tapping and pulls you closer so that the lyrics can guide you through the storm. Not unlike the recording of "Healthy," when almost every member pondered quitting the band; it’s good that they stuck it out.
Their current rocking single, “Where are You” (which features a gospel choir) questions whether a persons style is more important than their soul. Reuniting with producer Bob Rock, who also worked with the group on 2002’s "Gravity," the production values on this release are top notch, but not too over the top.
The always politically challenging OLP doesn’t hold back in examining the state of the world with the George W.-inspired, “Wipe that smile off your face.” On the other hand OLP realizes that all political all of the time can wear a person down and appeals to the listener with the song, “Boy”, by stating ‘don’t carry the weight of the world.’
Delving back into the liner notes, OLP puts things into perspective by listing what statistically happened while recording "Healthy" in that some very tragic and trivial things occurred. In the United States alone $27 billion was spent on music but it would only take 9 billion to provide clean water for all third world countries. One of the most interesting statistics is how much Paris Hilton donated to charity from the sale of her illicit video; how fun is that?
Songs like “Love and Trust” and “Picture” sound more like a marriage counseling session with lyrics pondering if things will just fall apart. Don’t worry; it seems that OLP is still healthy in their time of paranoia, because the first step in healing is admitting that you have a problem. The problems of this world can make anyone crazy. OLP’s music is one of the things that is going to make us healthy.

Our Lady Peace

“Healthy In Paranoid Times”
(Sony)
Released August 30, 2005
4 Stars