Oceansize - Frames (Superball)
2/5
By: Gareth Roberts
Oceansize have been knocking around for a while now, and unfortunately it appears they have lived out this 'a while now' period encased in some sort of time warping device whereby when all around moves on, they remain rooted in 1998, like an indie version of Peter Pan.
Frames is a collection of eight songs, some stretching past the ten minute mark, so anyone expecting an easy ride can get off this critical bus right now. They spend their time bringing to mind the inoffensive melodies of Coldplay and Embrace but intertwining them with a subtle emo sensibility the likes of which Hundred Reasons and Hope of the States managed to disguise so well (not that it needs disguising you understand). It's all a bit of a conundrum really.
On the one hand, they are sticking their necks out, making music that I'm fairly sure few people truly love anymore with all the gusto of someone who has promised said activity to a dying parent and is fulfilling it come hell or high ridicule. On the other, they are making music that I simply cannot enjoy, nay comprehend, and doubt I could have done ten years ago.
The presence of a string section and other instrumental shifts in the scenery does enough to make you warm to them as a band trying their best to do something different within their self set boundaries. And whilst I would love to sit here and heap praise on them for that, I'd be cheating myself and ultimately you. So whilst it gives me no pleasure to say so, I can't really warm to it. But there is at least enough here to suggest you should make up your own mind.
Stream 'Savant' from Frames HERE.
Your Feedback
Login to post your comment