Review Summary: Music can still be made with real passion, and the results are spectacular.
[This review was written in 2010, before the band parted ways.]
It's been over ten years since the members of Oceansize began crafting their densely textured, unique sound - sticking out like a sore thumb in late-90s-Manchester. Ever since the conception of the quintet's 2003 debut Effloresce, the band has flourishingly continued to produce music rich in substance and originality. Unfortunately, not enough music fans have taken on the challenge to digest an Oceansize record - unlike the majority of immediate bite-sized pop music, the band rewards patience extremely generously. Once a listener has delved deep enough, they'll always find themselves coming back.
However, their fourth offering "Self Preserved While The Bodies Float Up" has an almost radiohead-like accessibility to those who haven't heard them before. Yet their individuality most definitely remains.
Oceansize's latest effort kicks off with the raw and abrasive wall of distortion known as "Part Cardiac" - effectively repelling all 21st-Century-indie-pop scenesters back to their Bombay Bicycle Clubs. Vocalist Mike Vennart howls over an array of bone-crunching riffs in an opener with more twists and turns than the Spaghetti Junction. Secondly, the five-piece successfully packs "SuperImposer" with all the key/time changes possible in a four minute song, yet still maintaining all the requirements to make you sing along. The intense pace is kept up by "Build Us a Rocket Then..." arguably one of the most frantic tracks on the album (second only to "It's My Tail And I'll Chase It If I Want To"), bursting with schizophrenic riffs and powerful vocals - this one really asks for the repeat button.
The initial rush of energy is comfortably brought down by the flawlessly executed "Oscar Acceptance Speech", undoubtedly one of the most elegant Oceansize tracks ever created - and probably the best on the album. Vennart weaves his delicate falsetto melodies over the soothing piano of guitarist/keyboardist Gambler, whilst bassist Steven Hodson provides his refreshing off-beat bass groove. The semi-electronic drum and organic piano breakdown after one minute is perfectly placed, as are the infectiously chunky guitars after two minutes. It is astutely brought to an end with a moving orchestral outro that simultaneously acts as a proficient interlude, aiding the flow of the record.
"Ransoms" and "A Penny's Weight" resumes the restrained mood introduced in "Oscar Acceptance Speech". The former is a dreamy jazz influenced number - a display of beautiful lyrics ("No offer or ransom / Could bring her back to me / For a walk in the moonlight / I'd pay all the money"), chilled guitar "solos" and stunningly apt water-droplet bass. Unlike the majority of Oceansize recordings in the past, it fits the description of the word "song" more than ever. "Silent/Transparent" similarly begins quietly, but grows into one of the most breathtakingly epic tracks on the album. Vennart's lyrics continue to shine through Mark Heron's double-tracked drumming and triple guitar textures, where Steve Durose noodles his brilliantly clear and innovative guitar lines.
"It's My Tail And I'll Chase It If I Want To" brings back the frenzied intensity last heard in "Build Us A Rocket Then...". It features Biffy Clyro's Simon Neil as a guest vocalist, shrieking over the few seconds in which vocals are present - the only criticism is that it all seems to end too soon. Penultimate track "Pine" is another outstanding track of maturity. The whispered vocals feel more intimate than ever, and the strings lift the listener up to a glorious peak, where they are gently led back to the familiar tenderly-picked guitar in the intro. "SuperImposter" brings dark undertones reminiscent to some of the material from their last full-length Frames. It acts as a very strange closing track for an Oceansize album - in all previous albums this had always a been the job for a piece no shorter than nine minutes. Nonetheless, it shows more sophistication than ever, as it just makes its message and moves on.
Ultimately, this record is undoubtedly a solid one - but unlike their previous efforts it does not seem to grow as organically (unlike the first three records, this album was mostly not conceived from jams.) Moreover, the short (by Oceansize standards) and poignant final track just cannot compete with the preceding album closers that fans are so used to being spoilt with.
Nonetheless, Oceansize are a very special band. They deserve a place in any true music-lover's heart. They've covered endless ground, spurred countless emotions, and continuously shown phenomenal musicianship. "Self Preserved While The Bodies Float Up" successfully brings everything they've ever done into a neat bundle of excellently written tunes, and although some may complain that certain tracks are too short, they have definitely got their message across - music can still be made with real passion, and the results are spectacular.