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**1/2 Ocean Colour Scene

MECHANICAL WONDER

(Ark 21)

When this English group played dates on the Who’s Quadrophenia tour in 1996, it was an oddball thrill — like hearing the early Who open for the graybeard version of themselves. Derivative, sure, but damn hot. The fires have cooled on Ocean Colour Scene’s first US album since that year’s Mosley Shoals: the opening “Up on the Downside” sounds like a carbon copy of Style Council. By the next tune they’re back to playing Roger and Pete, but “In My Field” is so like “Baba O’Riley” it’s shameful. After 12 years together, something like pride of authorship or musical development should nudge this kind of extreme fetishism aside.

The ballads are more their own, with numbers like “Biggest Thing” trading bloody-knuckled power for shimmering guitar beauty and the title track percolating along on a jaunty semi-acoustic arrangement. Trouble is, their most original work pales next to the knockoffs, with the exception of “Give Me a Letter,” which thrives on garage-rock rumble and a darker vocal turn from frontman Simon Fowler. At their best, Ocean Colour Scene are a substitute for another band. They rock pretty good, but they’re kind of bland when they’re not copping other artists.

— Ted Drozdowski