FRAMES

First of all, I was one of the few who have heard FRAMES' promo (thankfully to a rock magazine' editor, fellow of mine), and it made my September. I have always had high expectations as for these guys, and FRAMES' demos ("Red Rag to a Bear" particulary) made me want this album badly!!! I got it recently on CD and got down to reviewing.

First of all, FRAMES sound like a child of first OCEANSIZE albums - it's heavy and psychedelic as EFFLORESCE and melodic and structured as EVERYONE INTO POSITION. With "Unfamiliar" being the shortest track (6:30) and two 10-min long epics (one of them is instrumental!) you get one hell of an album, without a single 4/4 bar through the whole 66 minutes of the record. OCEANSIZE has matured immensly, leaving anything that could make them weaker off the album (but man, I simply adore "Red Rag to a Bear", I'd love to see it released on EP or something later!). Keyboard sound is more prominent now, it serves not as atmospheric background - man, they play harmonies and melodic lines on them ("Trail of Fire", "Commemorative T-Shirt", "Only Twin")! Orchestra is beautifully added in some songs as well ("Only Twin", "Savant", "The Frame"), reminding me of astoundly mesmerizing "Long Forgotten" track. Vocals range from subtle to screamy, and I must admit Mike has grown in his vocal matters since the last album. Some additional words for Mark Heron - he's amazing. He has sound of his own, a distinctive manner and style, and I think he's the next in the "Mike Portnoy- Dany Carey-Gavin Harrison" Row of Fame.

1. COMMEMORATIVE T-SHIRT (10/10) - the first track kicks in with catchy 11/16 tune ("earworm" effect guaranteed!), and later unfolds beautifully, twisting through structures, layers and other tricks (like 11/11/9/11/9/11 signature pattern in the second part, dealing with 9/11 issue I guess). This is some kind of an overture, but 8 minutes long, he-he ;)

2. UNFAMILIAR (10/10) is probably the most ear-friendly and catchy track on the whole CD. It was chosen for video edit, as "Catalyst" and "Heaven Alive" (as you remember these songs are "track n.2" as well on previous OCEANSIZE albums). Agressive, complex, it rises in full bloom in magnificient 13/8 coda.

3. TRAIL OF FIRE (10/10) starts with a subtle piano pattern (7/16// 7/16// 7/16// 7/3...I apologise for these neverending phone numbers :) ), very much in early OCEANSIZE vein. Progressing further, song turns into astonishing epic with some memorable heavy parts in the middle (that one in 5/4), and breathtakingly returns to a main theme. Essential OCEANSIZE!!!

4. SAVANT (10/10) - time for a little ballad here (only 8 minutes long ;) ). Very David Lynch-like intro...and then, from Heron's signature cymbal sounds to strings' crescendo in song's coda, it feels like magic. It's pretty simple (putting aside the complex signatures' combination, it doesn't spoil the whole mood) and moving song, very OCEANSIZEble, close to "Musi for a Nurse" and "Long Forgotten" in terms of genius' level.

5. ONLY TWIN (8/10) - this is where I lost the point a bit. I still can't get use enough to this track...it's not bad or something...it's just totally DIFFERENT from ANYTHING the band has ever done before. Beginning with a gentle keyboard arpeggio, later it mutilates into RADIOHEADesque/MUSE-like intense orchestral nervousness (good part for some movie climax), and ends pretty dramatically as well. I feel like I can easily adore this track, and actually it has everything to be loved...but I can't stop thinking about "Red Rag to a Bear", that could have replaced it. But it's not bad after all, just different! It's only me finally!

6. AN OLD FRIEND OF THE CHRISTIES (10/10) - unreleased PELICAN epic, stolen by Mike Vennart via brain tube :) I can't imagine another description, because this is where OCEANSIZE play real Post-Metal, deep, lush, heavy, with thick Church organ (intro) and wonderful guitar riff (very memorable!)

7. SLEEPING DOGS AND DEAD LIONS (9/10) can be labeled as THE WILDEST OCEANSIZE TRACK up to date! Intro would make MESHUGGAH guys blush from their immaturity, a "song itself"-part sounds like a ballad co-written by Mike Patton and Chuck Schuldiner, and closing instrumental part features some insane effected vocals from Mike (groovy!). A good breakpoint after some sleepy tracks.

8. THE FRAME (9/10) - IMHO, less impressive than "Savant", closing track is another ballad, nevertheless perfect for ending such a marvelous album like FRAMES. Subtle Post-Rocky intro (again some math-like structures here, but hardly noticeable for newbies ;) ), and a BIG orchestral thing then. Yes, it's BIG in the way THE BEATLES or LED ZEPPELIN were making their BIG things - like "A Day in the Life" or "The Rain Song".

9. VOORHESS (10!/10) - this is simply my favouritest track from them now. It's a signature epic, it has everything OCEANSIZE are able to show, and I regret they've made it a bonus...but it's a good chance to purchase a special edition!

As Mike sings: "What the f@&k you want by now?". Some smart thoughts? Words about how OCEANSIZE are underappreciated and that they need more attention? Proclamations like "they MUST be in one league with TOOL and PORCUPINE TREE"? Relax, folks. They shall get what they deserved soon. I've already found some OCEANSIZE clones in the Net, and that means that they're getting influental. They're already BIG...but not everyone recognizes this fact. Give them some time, and the world shall fall onto its knees. Long live Modern Prog and viva OCEANSIZE. You've just made me write my longest review this year guys :)))

EXTREMELY RECOMMENDED!!!!!!!!!!!!

Share this OCEANSIZE review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Prog-jester
• Report this review (#144318)
• Buy OCEANSIZE music online with PA partners
• Show all OCEANSIZE MP3/Stream
• Go to OCEANSIZE page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Frames page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for OCEANSIZE related discussions