AN OCEAN OF ROCKS

Basically, the same style as THE BOAT OF THOUGHTS, only not as good. Sepp Niemeyer, known for his theatrical live performances, replaces original drummer Frank Eule. While he fits in the band's style fine, his playing is more straightforward than Eule's, so the music has a bit of a less exciting feel.

Highlights include the conceptual "Ocean of Rocks" suite that takes up the entirety of the B-side. Lyrically, it's pretty darned silly, but it's musically sweet; opening with an ethereal zither/synth duet and ending brimming over with intensity.

Octopus' "An Ocean of Rocks" is rather nondescript 1970s keyboard oriented rock that happens to come from Germany but could easily originate in America or England. Even the vocals sound like a conventional male singer even if they end up being by one named Jennifer Hensel. I think of a naive Rush at times. The album features plenty of driving guitar but also an ample serving of analog keys. It improves as it goes along, with "Octopus-The Survivor of Atlantis" being the highlight; the goofy lyrics are paired with some of the only really whimsical musical accompaniment to be found here. Still this is mostly a rather unimaginative and dull effort that can be omitted from your search unless you are a collector of all things Teutonic.

A definite step down from their debut which I quite enjoy. It's a low 4 stars while this is barely 3 stars. Almost everything about this is weaker than the debut in my opinion.

The guitar breaks out a minute in on "Start The Music" followed by the vocals.The instrumental section that follows is the best part of this track. "On My Mind" is led by guitar, synths and a beat early on.Vocals follow in this laid back number. It does pick up after 3 minutes.

"Son Of Sorrow" is guitar led to start as the vocals and pulsationg organ join in. A guitar solo 2 minutes in then that pulsating organ returns followed by vocals. Another guitar solo 4 1/2 minutes in and then at 6 minutes.

"The Delayable Rise Of Glib Part 2" has a nice little drum intro as guitar joins in.Vocals after 1 1/2 minutes. "The Entrance" is a short vocal tune. "The Shifting Space And Time" eventually turns spacey with synths. A beat with organ takes over before 4 1/2 minutes.

"Octopus The Survivor Of Atlantis" is catchy with vocals. "An Ocean Of Rocks" is an upbeat tune with the organ playing over top.

An okay album but I was disappointed.