EVERYONE INTO POSITION

The word is that Oceansize rejects the 'Prog Rock' label they've been given, and I can't help but agree. But the Indie invasion of Prog shows no signs of ebbing, its appeal reaffirmed with every passing day, and in the context of that invasion this is a quality album. Good material, well recorded and performed, and songs generally over five minutes. The music is guitar oriented and sports thick layers of chunk and unexpected rhythms. Mike Vennart's cool whisper works against the wall of guitars three deep, and Mark Heron plays his drumset with pluck and John Bonham mechanics. But because the band seems caught between complex, forward thinking rock and Soundgarden style uber-Alt, the drift factor here is large and the listener shouldn't be surprised if they find them self in deep thought about anything other than the music. Echoes of U2 in 8-minute 'Music for a Nurse' but just as they seem ready to delve deeper, the song fades and we're left with simply a very good modern rock band, 'New Pin' is not much more than a meal for FM radio and anthem 'Ornament/The Last Wrongs' doesn't bring anything new to the party.

A very good band, and not generally recommended for Progressive Rock listeners. A feeble three stars.