EFFLORESCE

I came across Oceansize the other week after listening to a month of non-stop porcupine tree for the first time. Since then I have written a lot of prog influenced songs. I think that Effloresce is a very impressive album... I have no idea why no one has ever heard of them in my area.

The record starts off with a spacey sounding instrumental, "I Am The Morning," which is a very relaxing way to start the album. After a few minutes the first proper song begins. "Catalyst" is a great song with an awesome riff played between 2 guitars, while a third one plays a completely different riff which really gives the track an "edge."

"One Day This Could All Be Yours" has got to be my favourite song by Oceansize. I understand that this is also their "title" song. The intro begins with a chimey guitar playing a few simple notes. The bass then kicks in with a great riff. A guitar does a few bends on 2 notes, and a spacey guitar riff comes in afterwards. The vocals a dreamy, and the lyrics are dark. It does sound very unique, and that's why I believe that this is the best track on the album. Compared to other songs on the album, it's not very complicated.

Not only is the guitar work great on this album, the drumming is also very articulate. There aren't really any proper guitar solos, but the playing is still very complex there a loads of riffs which fit perfectly with each other. A lot of guitar effects are used (it is progressive duh.) Most of the tracks on the album are quite long, like traditional progressive songs. The epic journey of sound known as "Massive Bereavement" lasts for 10 minutes.

Overall, even though I am quite new to progressive music, I believe that this is an essential prog album that is very underrated (the band itself is underrated). The music is much better than any other music that you see in the charts these days. There is something here for everyone - spacey, dreamy songs and heavier, rockier riffs. The singer combines many different styles of singing. He can sing quite softly, but he can also scream like Maynard James Keenan.