OCEANARIUM

Deluge Grander

Symphonic Prog

3.80 | 116 ratings

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Amilisom

Oceanarium is probably the most inspirational prog album I've heard.

Why, because it's perfect? Actually, because it isn't.

Instrumental prog is precious as it is rare, and as someone aspiring to write it, I tend to get mixed up in overthinking the sections as though they have to be perfect. Oceanarium is free in that regard, and you can hear it in the way Dan Britten moves between the vast ocean of textures and themes (see what I did there!) in almost a cavalier kind of way. The joy is in the journey.

You like mellotrons? You'll have 'em. Random wind instrument inclusions? Plenty of it. Interesting sound textures? At least one every twenty seconds. Long songs? Definitely. What about time signatures like 9/4?

The funny thing about 9/4 is I feel like I often don't hear it in other prog songs, whether that's because of my limited scope or because it's less common than things like 7/4 or 15/8. "The Blunt Sun and Hardened Moon" (awesome title) starts with 9/4 and goes into some really cool grooves. It shows up in a few other places too, one being "Marooned and Torn Asunder." (another awesome title)

Another thing is the sound quality. It'll turn many people away for sure, but when you get used to it it actually adds to the dreamy ocean-ness that the music is sort of about. Plus it feels attainable.

My reason for not giving this five stars, despite my praise, is the music feels a little empty. On a good day I may love this album, but on a bad day I have to avoid it as it'll lead me to start feeling lost and depressed. Sorry, Dan.

Unrelated to the music: I really like the art in the CD booklet, and the track titles are awesome.

Amilisom | 4/5 | 2018-1-8

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