Bloody hell! This lot are good! Must admit, I was pretty slow off the blocks where OCEANSIZE were concerned, seeing as they've been kicking around since being "In The City" winners circa 2001 and going on to play supports with the likes of Cave In and The Cooper Temple Clause in the interim.
Still, better late than never, as "Remember Where You Are" is a startling taster for the Manc quartet's album, "Effloresce", due out come the end of September. And, boy, if it's all as good as this, it'll be some record.
So, what's got me so hot under the collar? OK, it goes like this: "Remember Where You Are" starts of with Mark Herrin's rolling timpani, and minor key introspection worthy of Red House Painters. Good start, but it develops brilliantly, taking in huge,undulating soundscapes, flickering chiming guitars and lunges in the direction of chugging, Fugazi-esque dynamics. Whoa! Indeed, they fact they sound essentially unlike any other Mancunian band except possibly Doves (in terms of the big, big passionate sound) can only be in their favour. "Single bite of cherry for you" Mike Vennart broods malevolently, but hey, that's all you're gonna need where Oceansize are concerned.
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Consider me converted, then. B-side, "I Haven't Been..." meanwhile, hardly lets the side down either. Another 5 minutes plus and proud of it exploration with E-bow, atmosphere galore, towering drumming and widescreen post-rock intent, it's deserving of far more than being tucked away here. Truly excellent.
For once, we seem to have a band worthy of their name. Oceansize are enormous and even getting caught in their spray prior to the album is exhilarating to the max.
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