Band:	Oceansize
Album:	Frames
Style:	Post-metal, Alternative rock, Progressive rock, Space rock
Release date:	October 01, 2007
A review by:	Jeff

Disc I [CD]
01. Commemorative____T-Shirt
02. Unfamiliar
03. Trail Of Fire
04. Savant
05. Only Twin
06. An Old Friend Of The Christy's
07. Sleeping Dogs And Dead Lions
08. The Frame
09. Vorhees [bonus]

Disc II [DVD]
01. Commemorative____T-Shirt
02. Unfamiliar
03. Trail Of Fire
04. Savant
05. Only Twin
06. An Old Friend Of The Christy's
07. Sleeping Dogs And Dead Lions
08. The Frame
+ Recording Frames
+ T-Shirt/Unfamiliar
+ Trail Of Fire
+ Sleeping Dogs And Dead Lions
+ Slideshow

All the ones who like Progressive music and Post Rock, probably already know Oceansize. This band from Manchester (United Kingdom) releases this year its 3rd album, "Frames" and this album is the release of the confirmation and maturity. The two previous ones got a lot of positive comments and reviews and "Frame" will just confirm those words, no doubt, Oceansize is a name that you'll have to remember if you still don't know it!

If you know the previous albums of Oceansize, you'll probably have the same feeling than me at the first listening. "Frames" is not so crazy than the two previous albums of the combo, which both are extremely complex and yes a bit crazy (this is these kinds of albums which go in a dozen of directions). This is one is definitely the album of the maturity with here, a band which didn't take so many risks but which found the way to write an album a lot deeper than its two previous ones. I mean that even if it's not so "weird" now and if it's maybe not so complex, the really nice atmospheric side of "Frames" is really cool and a lot more accessible for a lot of potential listeners. Don't worry though, Oceansize still plays this kind of Progressive Rock with dark melodies but now this is a bit more linear maybe, not so "punk" and if you like bands like Porcupine Tree I think that you'll enjoy a lot this album.

"Frames" will probably be the album of the confirmation. Even if the band seems to be a bit more mature now and not so "wild" this album is extremely well written and all the tracks of the album are pleasant songs (except maybe the long instrumental one "An Old Friend Of The Christies" which is not bad but didn't give anything special too?). The guys are convincing here and their musical interpretations are near of the perfection. Oceansize is still able to mix Pop with Metal and Prog and the fact that the music of the combo is easier of access is a good thing in my opinion. Though don't worry if you're an old fan of the combo too, Oceansize still plays the same kind of music, with the only difference than the songs are probably more structured now. It will just depend of your point of view now, if you only want to listen to crazy Post Rock, you'll maybe prefer the previous Oceansize's releases but if you think that it can be good too to have the same kind of music with some more structured parts, then it will be ok too!

"Frames" is not a CD for everybody, I mean that it's a complex album a bit elitist but this is also really varied and flirts with Pop like Rock or Metal (which means that you must be open minded to understand it). On the other hand, if you like Progressive music this is a must especially if you like the "new" Anathema or Porcupine Tree and love atmospheric and planning Progressive Rock/Metal. Now follow my advice and go to your record shop to buy this little jewel, definitely, Frame is a classy album which confirms that Oceansize deserves to be at the top of the list of the new wave of Progressive bands?