EVERYONE INTO POSITION

I've held back for quite a while before reviewing this album. Not because it has been particularly difficult to get into it, nor because my opinion has changed after repeated listens. This is, without a doubt, an incredibly accomplished follow-up to "Effloresce". Putting this in the context of progressive music as a whole (rather than the instinctive 5 star fanboy rating) is far more difficult, however.

The songwriting is excellent, from the tender poignancy of "Music for a Nurse" to the brutal attack of "Homage to a Shame", through the anthemic "Ornament/The Last Wrongs". This album is nothing if it isn't eclectic. At times, the band's influences shine through with hints of TOOL, NIN, PORCUPINE TREE and RADIOHEAD, but without sacrificing their originality. And in any case, "Everyone into Position" is as good as the best those bands have produced.

So, why four stars? Against "Effloresce" and "Frames", it strikes me that this is a slightly weaker album. "Music for a Nurse" drags on a bit too much, "No Tomorrow" is a bit lacklustre and "Mine Host" doesn't really achieve much other than mark a break between two heavy songs.

Were this any other band, I would undoubtedly be heaping masses of praise on this mighty album. Held up to Oceansize's high standards, I can only recommend it wholeheartedly as an incredibly enjoyable album if not a groundbreaking masterpiece.