SELF PRESERVED WHILE THE BODIES FLOAT UP

With 'Self Preserved While the Bodies Float Up,' Oceansize proves that even after more than ten years of activity, a band can still release incredible music. Yes, Oceansize are still going strong, and this is perhaps their most diverse album to date. 'Self Preserved While the Bodies Float Up' is a tasteful mixture of progressive rock of old, post-rock, sludge-metal, melancholic pop-rock, and high-energy rock in general.

Everything on this album is spot-on: the vocals, the lyrics, the amazing signature Oceansize-style drums, the triple-guitar attack and the thumping bass. Oceansize are as tasteful as ever on this release, trading the usual 8 minute song length for a few more subdued numbers. To loosely describe the album, it sounds a bit like if 'Frames' was to be combined with 'Everyone into Position,' yet created something wholly better and more original. Don't let this fool you, Oceansize still remain highly adventurous and can do what most bands can only accomplish in 8-10 minute songs in less than 5. An example of this is the powerful, yet shorter-than-usual, "It's My Tail and I'll Chase It If I Want To." This track displays an onslought of fast guitars in almost hardcore-punk fashion, yet therein lies a melodic undertone amidst the screamed phrases. Certainly one of the most outstanding tracks from the album.

"Part Cardiac" is a new one for the band in that its style is very unique. When Oceansize are slow, they're usually melodic and post-rocky, and when they're fast, the band can be quite brutal in a Meshuggah-ish way (see Frames [album], "Sleeping Dogs and Dead Lions."). But "Part Cardiac" is the exception: Oceansize are extremely heavy and sludgy on this track. The track reminds me of Mastodon or perhaps Meshuggah ridiculously slowed down to a doom-metal tempo.

Standout tracks include: (*****) "Part Cardiac," "Build Us a Rocket Then...," "Ransoms," "SIlent/Transparent," "It's My Tail and I'll Chase It If I Want To," and "Superimposter."

(****) "Oscar Acceptance Speech," "A Penny's Weight," and "Pine."

If you're an Oceansize fan, you already have this album. If you enjoy Oceansize, I definitely suggest that you go out and buy the album now; it is essential listening. This album clearly shows that Oceansize grow stronger and more eclectic every time they collectively make a piece of music. Overall, this is an incredible and heartfelt album. Please listen to it.

9.6 / 10

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