Oceansize Album: “Music for Nurses”

This 5-song (4-song if you don't count the ambient instrumental "Drag the Nal" a true song) EP is veeery good. It flows together well as one piece and contains one of Oceansize's hardest rocking songs ("One out of None"). This isn't a good starting point to listening to the band, as to some of the songs are oddly spaced and require many listens to fully appreciate. So I suggest Effloresce if you are new to Oceansize.

That is all. It's good, buy it. (But 14.99 is a crazy price. I got mine for 3.98 at a local music store).

This EP (5 songs) continues what Effloresce started. 'One Out of None' begins with ultra-heavy and layered guitar sounds and then the songs begin to take you on a musical journey in which you actually feel like you get somewhere in the end. Fans of metal will think its too soft and others will think it is too heavy. I think it is best of both worlds. You may need to take a nap after listening to this. Start with Effloresce first and then buy this as the companion piece.

The guy below hasn'r really got a clue. This is a progression from Effloresce, which was a masterpiece.

But sounds change, Oceansize have scrapped some of the melodic stuff for a more post rock, experimental and grittier sound.

One Out of nONE does work and like all other Size tracks, builds to an epic end. Paper Champion is probably the most accessible track with a simple melody and thumping base riff.

The last 3 tracks all blend as one. Drag the 'Nal works as a fine atmospheric intro to Dead Dogs which is the stand-out track on this e.p. As the Smoke Clears finishes in a similarly apocalyptic fashion. It only leaves you wanting more than 25 minutes worth.

Music For Nurses is the 5-track EP that comes hot on the heels of Oceansize's brilliant in parts though inconsistent debut, 'Effloresce'. 'Music For Nurses' suffers from the opposite problem: everything here is good, but nothing stands out as brilliant'. Though, on paper, opener 'one out of nONE' ought to be brilliant: an explosive diversion into the territory of metal, it doesn't quite come off, as the verses sound like rehashed Oceansize, despite a brilliant riff and some top-drawer screaming. It powers through various sections almost too quickly, and thus comes across as good but not as great as it might have been. 'Paper Champion' is a building, atmospheric number; 'Dead Dogs An' All Sorts' flies the post-rock torch, and 'As The Smoke Clears' is a far slower metal number. All are accomplished, but they lack the killer intensity (and tunes) of tracks like 'Catalyst' or 'One Day All This Could Be Yours'. Worth having, but could have been better.