Variations on a Theme is the debut studio album by American rock band Om.

It was the first recording in several years to feature Sleep bassist/vocalist Al Cisneros.

When Om was formed in 2003, they began recording practice tapes.

At the time, bassist-vocalist Al Cisneros' girlfriend got them in contact with John Whitston, founder of Holy Mountain Records, who quickly signed them and gave them time to record.

Around the same time, the band performed its first shows at the Bottom of the Hill and The Independent in San Francisco.