EFFLORESCE

My second encounter with Oceansize, the first was Frames and despite some criticism I couldn't resist to give the album 4 stars (though strongly rounded up from 3,5). At that point I already owned this album and was convinced this wouldn't happen a second time. This had to be 3 stars I was sure. But I don't know what it is with this band, it has a certain class in their music, something that's hard to define but is impossible to ignore. So after several listenings I'm not so sure anymore so once again the song by song rating will have to decide.

1. I am the Morning is an interesting track with a fine atmosphere. Very special this one, a quiet one for Oceansize standard. 3,5*.

2. Catalyst is the one where hell breaks loose right from the beginning, gets somewhat more quiet in the vocal part but remains heavy instrumentally. Good song too. 3,75*.

3. One Day all this could be Yours is a song where I get the feeling we are dealing with a heavy sort of Coldplay, especially at the start. There's certainly some resemblance detectable. Good track, 3,5*.

4. Massive Bereavement is one of the two highlights to me. A great song with a compelling build up. Psychedelic guitar at the end. Don't play this one too loud if you want to save your ears. Really impressive stuff this. Reminds me of Trail of Fire of the Frames album. 4,25*

5. Rinsed is a whole different ball game. Starting spacy in a very laid back style and continuing this till the end. It appears this is a varied album. 3,25*.

6. You Wish is more of an average song for this band without a significant feature. Pretty heavy but almost a normal song, unusual for Oceansize. 3,25*

7. Remember where you are is the one with the funny drumming in the beginning evolving in a friendly song with just a few rough moments proving that Oceansize is also capable of that. 3,5*

8. Amputee starts with the same psychedelic guitarsounds as at the end of Massive Bereavement but this time they only last a few seconds though I have to admit they do come back a few times. There's some great melodic moments in this song, another great track. 3,75*.

9. Unravel is the shortest of the album and is more of a quiet interlude. Not bad. 3*

10. Women who love Men who love Drugs is the first of three long tracks at the end of the album. Also this one has some resemblance with Coldplay. Big difference is that Oceansize is besides heavier also simply better and (of course) more progressive. Interesting song with again nice atmosphere. 3,75*

11. Saturday Morning Breakfast Show is my second favourite track, another great composition like the 4th track. Have a listen to the part from 3:15 till 5:25 and you know what I'm talking about. Not that this is the only interesting part but it's just an example. After this the song is showing the class I was talking about in my opening sentence. This is simply a high quality band. After the lovely part they surprise once again from 7:50 to burst once again and even more convincingly. Tremendous performance. 4,5*

12. Long forgotten is the third high class effort by Oceansize on this album. Much more quiet this time but also this style suits them very well. 4*.

Well, this proves I was very wrong with my initial plan to give this 3 stars. This album proves to be a lot more impressive than Frames. Clever build up too of the album. One great song in the first half and two superb ones towards the end leaving the listener with a very satisfied feeling. 4 stars no doubt.