ODDMENTS

This is studio album number four from these Ozzies and I was very curious to hear what this one was about after they opened their careers with two very sub-standard records(both 2 star affairs) then follow those up with the surprising "Float Along-Fill Your Lungs" where they seemed to get serious about music. "I'm In Your Mind Fuzz" would seem like the logical followup to this staying psychedelic but upping the energy, keeping it uniform and having these sing-a-long songs that blend into each other but no! That would have to wait one album and that record is odd.

"Oddments" is 12 songs worth 32 minutes. And it really feels like a step back after the incredible potential of "Float Along-Fill Your Lungs". Some songs remind me of their debut where the sound quality isn't the best and sounds get all jumbled up while others are ruined for me by the chipmunk vocals maybe a CARDIAC influence because a couple of the shortest pieces sure sound like those Brits and I'm not impressed. Stay psychedelic man it's natural for you guys.

It was interesting to hear that ethnic instrument the zurna on the opener crying out as that will be a staple on "Flying Microtonal Banana". Why the snapping fingers on the catchy "Stressin"? And "Vegemite" has those helium vocals. Harmonica is all over "It's Got Old" while one of my top two tracks is the next one "Work This Time" and I just noticed it's the longest one at 4 1/2 minutes and it's psychedelic! Sounds echo and trip along come on this is good. The other top two is "Hot Wax" for the male and female vocals trading off, just a cool pop song, so catchy and fun. "Crying" might be my next favourite but regardless a step down. A psychedelic sounding pop tune, how's that?

A low 3 stars for this one and really only the die hard fans need to hear this despite some good moments.