Mint review.
"Who gives a shit if they never headline Wembley Arena, their music will out live any indie tripe clogging the airwaves at the moment."
Love that line :D
Oceansize - Frames
Artist profile:
Oceansize
Release Date: 01/10/07
Label: Superball
Rating: *****
It’s hard to put into words just how much Oceansize are respected by whoever has come into contact with them. Their wholly original take on British contemporary rock over the past decade is one of the most under rated and overlooked stories our countries recent musical history has to tell, and still they continue to battle on against the odds and push boundaries beyond what most can imagine.
'Frames' is the bands third full length amongst a rafter of seminal EP releases and does not break the trend one bit. Those of you who are looking forward to this release will probably ache in anticipation as the first bars role from your headphones or speakers, and this album’s beauty will not cease to amaze or surprise you. There is just one thing we should say before continuing; this album will seriously harm the health of the rest of your record collection.
'Frames' kicks off where previous album 'Everyone Into Position' finished taking Oceansize’s trademark progressive indie tones into more uncharted territory. The difference being is that this album delivers a more streamlined progressive onslaught. Songs reach well over the five minute mark yet don’t baffle in their individual complexities. Instead, Oceansize softly lull you into the song structures offering the listener a real understanding of how the band create their music. This means 'Frames' is far easier to get into then any previous Oceansize recordings.
The album starts with a batch of beautiful progressive pieces of music which make addictive listening. From the guitar led 'Unfamiliar' which crashes with intensity as riffs bounce off each other creating epic melodies. It’s the sound of Oceansize sitting well and truly in their comfort zone knowing they’ve created a quality song.
Then there is the meandering piano which carries us into 'Trail Of Fire' quickening the pace of the album. Again, guitars are used to maximum effect to break the song down into sections as the band create complementing rhythms pushing the song towards its crashing finale. Meandering piano’s turn to spatial soundscapes as guitars take over, to play out the song with each instrument stopping in concession with the beat.
What’s so great about 'Frames' however is how it develops from here on in. Whereas the first four tracks offer a definitive guide to who Oceansize are, the last four see the band branch outside of their comfort zone taking risks which pay off, simultaneously creating music which defies even their own expectations.
It starts with 'Only Twin' which can only be defined as the centre piece of this album and quite possibly the best thing Oceansize have ever done. For the first time, the lyrical content is noticeable as Mike Vennart’s cynical vocals seep into your ears and mind as you sit there helpless, and consumed by the music. Throughout this, an awkward drum beat carries the song with what sounds like violins and screeching guitars building to the eventual overwhelming crescendo. It’s simply breathtaking to behold and should be a live song which stays with this band forever. There have been albums produced this year that won’t even stand up to the quality in this one song.
And there’s more. Where other bands would simply peak at this stage and finish the album in lack lustre fashion, Oceansize continue to astonish and delight. Next we are treated to a ten minute instrumental which could soundtrack the burial of a Japanese King in some kind of Crouching Tiger esque movie scene. Its bleak, dark and absorbing, a track Mogwai would be proud to call their own.
'Sleeping Dogs And Dead Lions' preludes the albums conclusion with some post production experimentation. Distorted guitars introduce us to by far the heaviest track on the album and one which will take the longest to appreciate here. It’s awash with hardcore riffs and synthesized vocals until the song breaks down into a warped backward version of itself. Vennart's vocals are even reversed before Mark Heron’s consistently fantastic drums pulls everything back into place.
The Frame then finishes things in a slower fashion as the listener is left to reflect on what they have just experienced. And that is what 'Frames' is. An experience, one which you’ll want to re-live again and again. We always say this will be Oceansize’s big break, or the album that gets them recognized but it never happens. This time we won’t hype it to oblivion but instead we’ll leave you with this. Oceansize are Britain’s most creative band with timeless material and a spectacular live show. Who gives a shit if they never headline Wembley Arena, their music will out live any indie tripe clogging the airwaves at the moment.
Cherish this band and watch them continue to grow, you won’t be disappointed. Here’s to next album and the future.
Sam Tolley
Oceansize Myspace
Buy Oceansize CDs | Buy Oceansize mp3s | Buy Oceansize Tickets | Buy Oceansize Merch
Release Date: 01/10/07
Label: Superball
Rating: *****
It’s hard to put into words just how much Oceansize are respected by whoever has come into contact with them. Their wholly original take on British contemporary rock over the past decade is one of the most under rated and overlooked stories our countries recent musical history has to tell, and still they continue to battle on against the odds and push boundaries beyond what most can imagine.
'Frames' is the bands third full length amongst a rafter of seminal EP releases and does not break the trend one bit. Those of you who are looking forward to this release will probably ache in anticipation as the first bars role from your headphones or speakers, and this album’s beauty will not cease to amaze or surprise you. There is just one thing we should say before continuing; this album will seriously harm the health of the rest of your record collection.
'Frames' kicks off where previous album 'Everyone Into Position' finished taking Oceansize’s trademark progressive indie tones into more uncharted territory. The difference being is that this album delivers a more streamlined progressive onslaught. Songs reach well over the five minute mark yet don’t baffle in their individual complexities. Instead, Oceansize softly lull you into the song structures offering the listener a real understanding of how the band create their music. This means 'Frames' is far easier to get into then any previous Oceansize recordings.
The album starts with a batch of beautiful progressive pieces of music which make addictive listening. From the guitar led 'Unfamiliar' which crashes with intensity as riffs bounce off each other creating epic melodies. It’s the sound of Oceansize sitting well and truly in their comfort zone knowing they’ve created a quality song.
Then there is the meandering piano which carries us into 'Trail Of Fire' quickening the pace of the album. Again, guitars are used to maximum effect to break the song down into sections as the band create complementing rhythms pushing the song towards its crashing finale. Meandering piano’s turn to spatial soundscapes as guitars take over, to play out the song with each instrument stopping in concession with the beat.
What’s so great about 'Frames' however is how it develops from here on in. Whereas the first four tracks offer a definitive guide to who Oceansize are, the last four see the band branch outside of their comfort zone taking risks which pay off, simultaneously creating music which defies even their own expectations.
It starts with 'Only Twin' which can only be defined as the centre piece of this album and quite possibly the best thing Oceansize have ever done. For the first time, the lyrical content is noticeable as Mike Vennart’s cynical vocals seep into your ears and mind as you sit there helpless, and consumed by the music. Throughout this, an awkward drum beat carries the song with what sounds like violins and screeching guitars building to the eventual overwhelming crescendo. It’s simply breathtaking to behold and should be a live song which stays with this band forever. There have been albums produced this year that won’t even stand up to the quality in this one song.
And there’s more. Where other bands would simply peak at this stage and finish the album in lack lustre fashion, Oceansize continue to astonish and delight. Next we are treated to a ten minute instrumental which could soundtrack the burial of a Japanese King in some kind of Crouching Tiger esque movie scene. Its bleak, dark and absorbing, a track Mogwai would be proud to call their own.
'Sleeping Dogs And Dead Lions' preludes the albums conclusion with some post production experimentation. Distorted guitars introduce us to by far the heaviest track on the album and one which will take the longest to appreciate here. It’s awash with hardcore riffs and synthesized vocals until the song breaks down into a warped backward version of itself. Vennart's vocals are even reversed before Mark Heron’s consistently fantastic drums pulls everything back into place.
The Frame then finishes things in a slower fashion as the listener is left to reflect on what they have just experienced. And that is what 'Frames' is. An experience, one which you’ll want to re-live again and again. We always say this will be Oceansize’s big break, or the album that gets them recognized but it never happens. This time we won’t hype it to oblivion but instead we’ll leave you with this. Oceansize are Britain’s most creative band with timeless material and a spectacular live show. Who gives a shit if they never headline Wembley Arena, their music will out live any indie tripe clogging the airwaves at the moment.
Cherish this band and watch them continue to grow, you won’t be disappointed. Here’s to next album and the future.
Sam Tolley
Oceansize Myspace
Buy Oceansize CDs | Buy Oceansize mp3s | Buy Oceansize Tickets | Buy Oceansize Merch
Comments
Jack
05 Sep 2008, 00:07
05 Sep 2008, 00:07
