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Oceansize - Frames CD (album) cover

FRAMES

Oceansize

 

Psychedelic/Space Rock

4.04 | 332 ratings

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ZowieZiggy
Prog Reviewer
3 stars I like the music offered by "Oceansize" although it is not truly original IMHHO. Those metal feelings have been deeply investigated already, especially by PT of course.

But still, there is nothing wrong with this good UK band. They aren't playing easy listening music, that's a given but their songs do have an inexpressible savour. "Oceansize" sounds so enigmatic, melancholic during the opener "Commemorative 9/11 T-Shirt". An excellent start, I must say.

Even when the band is so close to PT during several songs, they just sound better, fresher than the last PT works. As if the pupil outclassed the master ("Unfamiliar"). The next highlight of this album is the 100% "Muse" oriented "Only Twin". One might feel that this album lacks a bit in personality, which is true. Of course all these songs are very good, but the déjà vu feeling is very much present throughout this album.

Derivative and repetitive sounds out of "An Old Friend Of The Christies" for almost five minutes are a bit indigestible, but the second half of this instrumental number is slightly better, fully hypnotic beat and a great spacey atmosphere are compensating the relatively weak start.

This "Oceansize" album is more on the melancholic side than their previous offerings, but to prove me wrong "Sleeping Dogs & Dead Lions" has this heavy metal attack close to the sound that could be noticed on their debut "Efflorescence". Somewhat chaotic structure and noisy vocals. To be honest, this is absolutely not my cup of tea. Press the only key of which I can think of : the next one of course.

The closing number holds no surprise. Same sort of tempo, riff, melody during more than ten minutes. Longish and uninspired. Could have been dropped with no problem.

This is not a very diversified album but it is pleasant to see that a modern band holds the prog banner. Like lots of current bands, they have integrated some metal sounds in their music (but not too much on this one). When I see the huge amount of reviews for PT (even if most of them are without comment), I can only suggest you to dedicate some time to discover "Oceanside". Not essential but well above average.

Three stars for "Frames".

ZowieZiggy | 3/5 |

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