I hear some Tool on this as well, but it's a tricky one and easy to overinflate; I feel any rhythmically adventurous heavy prog band can easily be compared to Tool. I guess there are obvious similarities in how both bands' drummers are their star figures, but from what I gather Mark Heron was so independently + creatively minded that it does the band a disservice to draw them too close to Tool.
There's also the fact that Tool wouldn't have been worth shit without drawing from Sabbath as much as they did, and since Oceansize were also huge Sabbath fans (though less obviously influenced) you've got a triangle of cause-and-effect confusion goin on
Really interesting article about remastering Effloresce that has some good info on Heron near the bottom: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/oceansize-interview-with-mike-vennart-i-m-very-proud-of-everything-that-oceansize-did-a8043331.html

Album Rating: 3.5

you can admit tool is great, you pretty much did already

Tool have a lot of great qualities and I don't think their influence is a detraction; my point is that although it can be pinpointed in some Oceansize tracks in way that flatters both parties, it's easy to blow it out of proportion because of more tangential similarities

Album Rating: 3.5

you're almost there

lol

Album Rating: 5.0

"I hear some Tool on this as well, but it's a tricky one and easy to overinflate; I feel any rhythmically adventurous heavy prog band can easily be compared to Tool."



Yeah, pretty much. I feel like the comparison probably isn't that useful in this case, though. Like, I won't say the Tool influence isn't there *at al,* but Oceansize is far from the first band I'd rec to a hardcore Tool fan. And then, Frames isn't the album I'd direct them to either, I'd probably go more for Effloresce.



The rhythms are rarely... chunky enough on Frames for me to hear much of a Tool influence, and there's usually too much going on melodically over the top of any rhythmic fuckery that is there. Plus even on heavier tracks like Sleeping Dogs and Dead Lions, where the odd time stuff reminds me (however briefly) more of a band like Meshuggah.

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

Listen two was MUCH better than the first. So much beauty here. Normally, slow-building post-rock is not something I lean towards but everything flows amazingly well. I love the vocal production especially. I wasn't sure about Sleeping Dogs at first, but three listens to that track later and I flippin' love it. A perfect mixture of visceral intensity and beauty.

I don’t find the vocals engaging at all tbh. I’ve fallen asleep each time I tried to listen to this

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

I've always loved that kind of spaced-out vocal production (talking about Savant and The Frame). Idk, it's just dreamy and nostalgic to me.



Alright, this is perfect. What the heck. 5!

Album Rating: 5.0

"I've always loved that kind of spaced-out vocal production (talking about Savant and The Frame)."



That's why those 2 are the best songs here

5 gang!!
They're all the best songs here apart from Sleeping Dogs

Album Rating: 5.0

5 squad represent

Album Rating: 5.0

5 squad represent [2]

Album Rating: 4.5

I'd sooner compare these guys to Radiohead than Tool, but I suppose I get some of the arguments in terms of what's going on rhythmically especially on their first two albums. then again neither Tool nor Oceansize are the first to get it on bang a tom.

Album Rating: 5.0

Everything after Effloresce sounds nothing like Tool. There are probably ten thousands of bands who did more Tool-influenced songs than them, and Radiohead conversely would be among the first 10 bands i'd mention to someone, who has never heard of Oceansize.

Album Rating: 4.5

"There are probably ten thousands of bands who did more Tool-influenced songs than them"



I see what you did there ;)

Album Rating: 5.0

hehe ;)

Album Rating: 5.0

@Lucman try Cyril Snear next. They are criminally unknown, but their second album is at least at good as Everyone Into Position or Self Preserved

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

Sounds good Size! I think I may do Vennart next though. Still not sure what to rate Preserved yet.

Album Rating: 4.5

Preserved is great imo. very much a grower.