FALSE MEMORY ARCHIVE

The Norwegian band's first album since their 2013 debut, Lighthouse, sees the quartet amidst the departure of founding guitarist Ole Michael Bjørndahl. Here OMB plays on two songs while new and future stable mate (and former PYMLICO and future CALIGONAUT guitarist) Stephan Hvinden settles into his new role. (OMB, collaborator with PYMLICO, ARIBAG, BJØRN RIIS and CALIGONAUT will go on to work with all of the above except OAK.)

1. "We, the Drowned" (5:24) Nice opener. That voice of lead singer Simen Valldal Johannessen is so intriguing! (8.875/10)

2. "Claire de Lune" (7:16) NOT the Debussey version! I feel, hear absolutely no connection between this and the iconic classical piece. (13.125/15)

3. "False Memory Archive" (4:47) a bit of a boring, one-dimensional let down--especially for the album's title song! (8.75/10)

4. "Lost Causes" (8:30) Simen here starting out with a LEONARD COHEN-like deep singing voice to talk-sing his opening lyrics. (17.5/20)

5. "Intermezzo" (1:42) the real "Claire de Lune"! How funny! But then it's "damaged" or intruded upon by electro-static buzzing sounds before being totally immersed and finally quashed by the buzzing. (4.5/5)

6. "The Lights" (10:34) An unusual and creative song design--which is good--explores a darker, almost disturbing mood. The synth and sound effects work on this is brilliant--and the droning play of other instruments (bass, guitar, sax, vocal) really helps to drive home that mentally-desturbed/deranged effect. (17.875/20)

7. "These Are the Stars We're Aiming For" (4:19) traipsing into prog metal territory, as if just testing the waters but deciding to not commit fully, this is another interesting song (with banjo!) (8.875/10)

8. "Transparent Eyes" (4:59) a nice sound palette provides the setting for one of Simen's more sedate vocal performances. Nice jazzy-pop song. I like the added aural effects and pretty jazz-pop piano foundation (and solo work at the end). (8.875/10)

9. "Psalm 51" (7:25) soft-picked acoustic guitar and droning radio samples in the low end precede the piano foundation and entry of Simen's delicate, touchingly tender vocal. Though not quite as proggy--or jazzy--I find myself fully engaged and enjoying this song very much. The instrumental buildup in the fourth minute is awesome and enticing, but then there is a sudden flip of a switch and we're down to a beautiful two-chord PINK FLOYD-like vamp over/within which volume-pedal-controlled guitar solos for a bit before being usurped by the sound of television voices. But the end of the sixth minute sees the return of the lead guitar--playing some awesome tremolo notes--while full band (including rock drums) and saxophone join in to take the song to its finish. Cool song--probably my favorite on the album. (13.75/15)

Total Time 54:56

I'm fascinated by the unusual/eccentric Mark Hollis/Finnish band Khatsturjan-like tone/timbre of lead vocalist Simen Valldal Johannessen. While I enjoy the music and creative song constructions on this album, I am not ready to climb on the Oak bandwagon. But, I will be waiting to check out and see if the band grows when their next release comes out.

B-/3.5 stars; a collection of very creative, wonderfully-atmospheric songs that heralds tremendous potential. Another Norwegian band to watch!

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