NORTH ATLANTIC OSCILLATION

A strange, unique blend of indie electronics with art rock is what North Atlantic Oscillation provides us on their debut full-length album 'Grappling Hooks'. I've heard about this band after they did a remix of Steven Wilson's 'Postcard', and decided to check them out.

This record is full of electronic sounds which could sound a bit poppy in other people's hands, but very smart and witty production makes a worthy thing out of it all. The first thing I can compare with this album is "Kid A" by Radiohead: the whole approach to music seems to me a bit similar (and track 'Audioplastic' sometimes remided me of 'Idioteque').

North Atlantic Oscillation's music is not very hard to understand, though it's not as simple as you might think. Spacey keyboards, interesting rhythms (like in 'Some Blue Hive', which is one of highlights here), beautiful melodies, great atmosphere.

Definitely an album you should listen if you're a fan of Radiohead, alternative pop/rock or just lover of bizarre and beautiful art rock music.

Really 4.5 stars. I just recently discovered NORTH ATLANTIC OSCILLATION and all I can say is WOW, these guys are brilliant. The music is very fresh, boasts near immediate accessibility, and sports great song writing and musicianship. My only complaint has to do with the album's first track, Marrow. This plucky little number only runs 2:04 ? and therein lies my rub. It's way too short. It could easily be double or triple that time and still be an interesting listen from start to finish. If you like bands such as Porcupine Tree and Oceansize, great harmonies, and a nearly 'raw' sound to the music's production, you'll love NAO. These guys need a lot more attention, and I can't wait for their next album.

Grappling Hooks indeed...

This album is a fine example of how to make a seemingly unmeshable bunch of ingredients actually work. Productionwise, you have almost garage sounding drums, vocal harmonies reminiscent of the Beach Boys, unpolished analogue synths that wouldn't sound out of place on any mid-seventies electronic album as well as a fair share of heavy guitar riffing. Add to that the impression that in terms of style Grappling Hooks may seem a bit directionless. There is, for instance, the very accessible Cell Count single with it's catchy chorus hooks, the (intentionally?) hilarious oddity of Audioplastic, as well as some really beautiful and atmospheric gems like Alexanderplatz and Drawing Maps from Memory... songs that fall somewhat inbetween those like Some Blue Hive... And then there's the instrumental Star Chamber which is likely to be a real love and/or hate it song. The best way I could describe that one is that it tends to get on my nerves in a pleasant sort of way.

This album is rather easy to digest, but still has a lot of growing potential as well. It's nothing extreme by any means, not the most suitable release for mathcore/progmetal/Berklee School of Shredding lovers... instead it's refreshing, lush, beautiful, odd, and just plain fun. And most of all, _very_ undeserving to become yet another overlooked gem. Which seems a bit likely due to the very few ratings it got so far here on PA. Highly recommended to those who'd like to experience that indie/alternative/post-prog actually CAN put a smile on your face. 4,5 stars actually.