SELF PRESERVED WHILE THE BODIES FLOAT UP

With a little bit of experience, it's possible for the average music lover to guess the genre of an album from its title and cover. In this case, massively long title with morbid themes and woodcut-style, black-and-white illustration hint at post-rock and post-metal. While this is not a sure-fire method, it is fairly accurate for this album.

Music on "Self-Preserved..." is, in a way, similar to the most recent efforts of post-metal bands such as Isis, but with an experimental side that borders on deconstruction. This is especially apparent in vocals, somehow reminiscent of Peter Hamill's work with Van der Graaf Generator.

The Isis influence is especially apparent on the first track, "Part Cardiac", as well as in the following one, "Superimposer", although to a lesser extent. What follows gets increasingly experimental; a piece such as "Build Us a Rocket Then", that starts with a lot of energy and then wanders about through different styles makes me feel as if they built said rocket out of a junkyard of Soviet-era sewing machines and analog calculators.

Even calmer tracks, such as "Oscar Acceptance Speech" or "A Penny's Weight", feature the deconstructed singing style, contributing to the feeling that Oceansize is trying to build an ambiance made of urban nightmares and weird things that go bump in the night, one step in H.P. Lovecraft and another in Philip K. Dick. "It's My Tail and I'll Chase it if I Want To" is a strange little piece that sounds as if the band wanted to steam out a bit.

Despite a few weaker spots, such as "Ransoms", this a very strong album, with one foot in many different genres (progressive rock, metal, post-rock) and a taste for not doing things by the book. It is a bit difficult to get into, but those who dare will be rewarded by a fresh look -- or listen -- to these genres.