About
Boston's O Positive emerged from the fertile New England college rock scene of the mid-1980s, built around the songwriting partnership of Dave Herlihy and Jeff Encke. Drawing from the same well as R.E.M. and the Replacements, the band carved out a sound rooted in jangly guitar work, melodic hooks, and lyrics that felt both personal and cinematic. They were never flashy, but they had a knack for emotionally resonant songwriting that earned them a devoted following well beyond their regional roots. Their 1989 debut album Somehow Real remains the definitive statement of their craft, a record that showcased their ability to blend post-punk urgency with an almost pastoral tenderness. The follow-up, November, deepened that sound with fuller production while keeping the rawness intact. Though O Positive never broke through to mainstream radio success, they were a critic's favorite and a genuine touchstone for fans who prized substance over spectacle. Their influence quietly rippled through the alternative rock scene of the early 1990s, and Somehow Real in particular has enjoyed renewed appreciation among collectors and fans rediscovering the overlooked gems of that era.
