Oceansize Album: “Frames [CD/DVD]”

This could be called progressive rock, but not if you think of prog as cheesy late 70s music chock full of dated-sounding mellotrons (although Oceansize does, at times, use mellotrons), lyrics that might as well be excerpts from The Lord Of The Rings, and endless guitar solos that sound like they belong in porn movies. Frames, the latest album by Oceansize, is progressive rock in that the music progresses. Sounding like a group of theoretical physicists who double-majored in music, Oceansize put out complex harmonies, rapidly changing time signatures, and polyrhythms that Einstein couldn't understand

But enough about how complex the music is, Frames is strikingly beautiful, even in the most intense head-banging metal moments. Refusing to conform to pop standards seems to be the group's goal. Only Twin, one of the album's best, is a song that no other group in the world could pull off; the song has a 3/4 time signature, so naturally, when the drums and guitar arrive in 5/8 time signature they'll seem out of place. After listening for a while, you will start to understand what's going on, and that it works. That's the thing about this band, is that behind the bizarre math-rock exterior, for those who pay close attention, it WORKS. Savant is a breathtakingly beautiful song with surreal lyricism that introduces a string section and gradually removes the rhythm section to create a baroque sounding string-piece at the end. Unfamiliar shows how Oceansize are excelllent at using hooks without abusing them to the point where you want to puke. No song on this album has a verse-chorus-verse-chorus structure, making the album a surprising, adventurous affair the whole way through.

Do not be deterred by the fact that I only mentioned only a few tracks. There are no "fillers" here. Only moments of pure genius that keep you starving for more. Since Oceansize transcends profiteering conformities and catchy singles, you won't even have to think about reaching for the skip button. For those who listen to highly produced chart-porn, don't even think about buying this album. You need to have an attention span, and an open mind to appreciate the true genius of Oceansize.

FRAMES is simply phenomenal. I revisited this masterpiece today for the first time in awhile, and by a couple minutes into track one, decided I needed to add my glowing praises to its page on Amazon. I'm appalled to see only five others have commented so far, and can only hope this is in part because of the long (~18 month) and unfortunate delay between the original Fall 2007 release of FRAMES and its stateside availability.

To cut to the chase, FRAMES represents the peak of Oceansize's stunningly dense and brilliant career that spanned the years 2002-2010. Their previous two LPs were also undeniably five-star efforts, but this one is the most consistent and hard-hitting of them all. Those earlier records each contained multiple tracks which might contend for the title of all-time best OC song, yet they also faltered -- if only briefly -- with material just a peg or two short of the perfection they're capable of in their best form. FRAMES, on the other hand, doesn't miss a beat.

This is one of those rare discs I found myself jamming exclusively not for a mere week or two after release, but rather for MONTHS. My choice of favorite song cycled through all seven non-instrumentals, each time accompanied by the realization that I'd missed the best nuances on a track I'd previously found a tad lacking. It's also the most cohesive Oceansize record, rewarding an uninterrupted front-to-back listen every bit as much as DARK SIDE OF THE MOON. The way it communicates such a specific, palpable mood and atmosphere, while remaining dynamic enough to weave in both "Savant" and "Sleeping Dogs," is nearly unparalleled in modern rock.

4.9/5

I bought this album based on the reviews I read here and on other sites. I've listened to it a few times now, and nothing on the album has really grabbed me. It's obvious that these guys are great musicians, but there are no standout tracks so far. Perhaps my opinion will change in time. I hope so. I want to like it.