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Music Review

 05 September 2008 10:14 BST

Oceansize: Frames

Friday, 28 Sep 2007 16:07
Oceansize: Genre-crossing rockers return with Frames

Other Reviews 

Superball Music, out October 1st

In a nutshell…

Epic, random, interesting, frustrating, disjointed.

What's it all about?

The third album from Oceansize sees the band seemingly continuing attempts to baffle listeners with their multi-genre epic rock sounds - offering some insight into why they have yet to set the industry on fire. While bands such as Funeral for a Friend and Lost Prophets have secured themselves a cosy home in the British emo category, Oceansize have yet to find mainstream success.

With eight tracks the album looks at first glance a little thin, however the length of the songs quickly show this not to be the case. You have to admire the guts of a band prepared to open their record with a song that clocks in at over eight-and-a-half minutes and has more changes than a Trinny and Susannah Christmas special.

Alternative with a twist of indie and a smattering of faux-Mancunian swagger Oceansize make for a rock cocktail that is often tricky to pin down.

Who's it by

Formed in 1998, Oceansize released their debut album Effloresce in 2003 to a mixed response. Their 2004 EP Music for Nurses was followed up in 2005 with the band's second studio album Everyone Into Position.

Often unfairly tagged with the progressive, alternative or indie label Oceansize have continually refused to be categorised. Hopefully this latest release will give them some of the attention that they quite probably deserve.

As an example…

"Where others float, you and I crash land." - Savant

Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys

Unlikely. Oceansize have yet to truly make their mark in the industry and although they no doubt have their own fanbase, it seems difficult to imagine this release crossing over into the mainstream.

What the others say

"This is actually the closest Oceansize have come to the superb slow-motion rollercoaster ride they've always promised." - new-noise.net

So is it any good?

In parts, Frames comes off as a band drawing on many influences and coming up with nothing new - however in places this all comes together quite beautifully.

In An Old Friend of the Christies, almost a full five minutes is devoted to toeing the line between the promise of a melody and the threat of violence with an instrumental piece that recalls the sinister Rolling Stones' classic Gimme Shelter.

Often reminiscent of Doves and early Verve, sweeping melodies give way to roaring walls of guitar that seem far more expressive than what is currently on offer from many of Oceansize's peers and although Frames often frustrates it also surprises by switching between warm and melodic and armed and dangerous.

Pleading lyrics and bruised vocals add to the epic soundscapes that although often overlong and over thought are well worth a listen if you can bear the rollercoaster ride.

7/10

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