HEAVEN ALIVE

Oceansize - Heaven alive

As a companion disc to the release of Oceansize's second full-length album, the band decided to release the song Heaven alive as a single. The single's fairly straightforwardness is different to what we were previously known of Oceansize's output. The songs on this disc are all very accessible and the space rock side is more or less traded for a more mainstream attempt, though they still keep the complex compositions.

The b-side to this single, I/B/O/W, is obviously a leftover from the "Everyone into Position" sessions. The sound of the song is typical for the overall sound of the more straightforward songs on Oceansize's second album. This varied instrumental piece would fit perfectly onto "Everyone into Position," but I think that that album would be too long if this song also were to be included (already lasting an approximate 66 minutes).

This is a short EP or single I guess of "Heaven Alive" which is only a moderately interesting song from and extremely amazing band. Not the best choice of songs to represent such a great and talented band. It's a good song, just not as great as many of their others. The B-Side listed here "I/B/O/W" however is a much better instrumental song with a heavy, yet up-beat track that is a much better representation of their sound. Hard to believe this was one of the rejected tracks from their great 2nd album, and it would have fit on there just fine. There is a 2nd B-side that isn't listed here on the site called "Dirty Sweet Smell of the Summer", which is another great track with excellent vocals and a harder edge than what was on the A-side. Also a very good representation of their heavy progressive sound. Excellent.

No space rock here though. As for myself, I consider Oceansize more of an excellent post metal band because they transcend the post rock formula while keeping the great dynamics and sound. There is a slight reliance on space rock on some of their albums, but not on this single. And those people who say they sound like a new Pink Floyd really should point out to me how they sound like PF except for being progressive. No other comparison to PF exists here. Oceansize is it's own sound and own band, and they are simply amazing!

Great single, especially for the B sides. Oceansize fans need to search this out, and if you want a taste of what the band sounds like, make sure to pass judgement based on the B-sides here. Yes it's short, but still worthy of 4 stars.