GOD'S CLOWN

One of the best heavy prog jams in PA, so unknown and rated so low, it borders a crime ( below 3 stars ). So here is the first review of the album just to let you in on this very obscure band. Ocean are a 4 piece band from france founded in 1974, but it wasn't until 1976 when they released their debut album, lying heavily on the tasty guitar work of Georges Bodossian, so this may appeal more to hard rock, guitar 70's style playing lovers. The band plays some heavy progressive rock reminiscent of other power trios in style and in sound, but does not hold any french elements like other bands Ange or Mona Lisa do, the music resembles heavy prog from england rather than from france, another element helping that is the english sung vocals by Robert Belmonte, who sometimes manages to sound like Robert Plant or a woman rather than a man. Trying to sing in english to get out of the french boundaries was not a good choice for the band since they didn't have the right marketing to push them out of france. As good as the vocals are maybe they should have been in french rather than in english, an element the band occupied later.

The album is divided into two parts, each part contains 4 songs that flow from one to the next very easily, although moving to other directions the songs are still connected as a whole with that heavy guitar jamming. The music is in hard rock style never going in one direction but keeping the listener on his toes with all kinds of twists and turns, and a lot of fiery guitar solos that will make you air-guitaring for sure. The guitars by Bodossian are tasteful and exciting ranges from clean lines, to rhythmic to hard rocking riffing and of course those frenzy fiery solos, located in the middle with generous volume just to nail your ass to the floor. The rhythm section certainly is keeping up with those guitar runs and add a lot of power to the music, making this release a nuclear bomb.

Said they are reminiscent of Led Zeppelin, i would say maybe the first Zep album comes to mind, but this is more hard rocking sound like other albums by Budgie, Night Sun, T2, Rush and more aggressive Frippian leads. The writing is very good and although this is not 100% progressive stuff, the music is still interesting, fun and always changing, definitely aiming towards progressive rock fans. The songs are mainly upbeat and have a real sense of drive and power, making you think " who the hell needs keys?? " but then again i can not but wonder what would they achieve with a good keyboardist on board?. Not a lot of information is available about the band, but it seems they have released more albums in the 70's not listed in PA. Their 1981 album is totally different pointing to the local french scene. I wish there is a second album like this one, because this is exactly my cup of whiskey.

In conclusion if you are looking for something that will boil your blood, and like any of the bands mentioned, you shouldn't miss out on this masterpiece jam. I was thinking over between 4 or 5 stars, but actualy this is so good and i can not give it 4, this is 4.5 rounded up proudly.

4.5 stars. This is one of the few albums on this site that I would have loved to have owned back in my AC/DC loving days as a youth. They are a four piece from France and these guys rock hard. The singer has no boundaries, he's awesome with those higher pitched vocals bringing 70's Geddy and BUDGIE's Burke Shelley to mind. Robert Plant as well with the way he holds a note and those rebel yells all the blues tradition. The guitarist is all over this and is inventive and while I don't always like his ideas the man is talented and the leader of this band also adding synths which is cool and unexpectant.

The only other review is from Sagi also rating this 4.5 stars but bumping it up which I admit was tempting, the love is strong for this one. The cover art and album's title all add to the legend that is OCEAN. They would release another album in 1981 with a different drummer which has been described as AC/DC-like but I haven't heard it. On this album the guitarist keeps going to the lower range bringing RUSH's and LED ZEPPELIN's debuts to mind. He also plays in an intricate fast paced style at times that I'm not a huge fan of but look I have a lot of respect for this guy.

Those down-tuned guitar moments and spacey synths show up on the opener "Sunny Days" a 7 1/2 minute tour de force. That is what I call starting an album on the right foot. "Strange Rain" is creepy to start with the chanting before ripping vocals start to come and go along with powerful outbursts. It settles into a groove and the chanting steps aside. Check out the vocals at 2 1/2 minutes. "Love Is Blind" is short and catchy with the vocals here bringing Cody and CROWN LANDS to mind. Head bobbing music.

"The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner" opens with heavy drums as bass then some yells before the guitar solos for an extended period of time. "From Death To Life" starts quiet but man we get hit hard with those vocals and a light show with the guitar late. "Fields Of Pain" sounds amazing with the depth of sound, the repeated guitar melody and the vocals. Spacey synths too and oh the guitar gets to those lower ranges like on the opener. Incredible tune for the vocals and guitar. "The Juggler" is heavy with vocals and some more amazing guitar. "With The Sound I Can Escape" ends the album in a similar manner to the way it all started with that opener.

Not a perfect album by any means but man this is a blast to say the least. I felt young for a while there.