OCEAN COSMONAUTS

The stylistic range is narrow, which could make for an album that wears out its welcome, but Jardin de la Croix overcomes that hurdle through silky guitar textures juxtaposed with the most accented rock compositions around. Rather than creating chords in the traditional sense, the guitarists imply the chords through brisk series of notes. While this guitar style is hypnotic, the drumming demands awareness. Visiting post rock, grunge, metal, and skillful thrash, Ocean Cosmonauts is highly recommended for fans of aggressive but mesmerizing rock.

'Blacksnout Seasnail' An impressive opener, this features mostly clean guitar flickering from note to note in a brisk fashion. The second half of the piece raises a more clamorous side of the band's style, with several crescendos of clanging chords.

'Vostok' A more vociferous beast than 'Blacksnout Seasnail,' this one features the drummer all over his kit, varying the rhythm alongside the bassist. While the blinking guitar passages carry on, there is a strident finale with a heavy dose of bass pedal that fades out in beautiful rapid harmonics.

'Island of Atlas' More layers of chiming guitar and tight, mobile drumming that punctuates the piece in a noticeable and creative way feature here. The ending involves a mesmerizing groove that escalates to a cacophonic conclusion.

'Maelstrom' Delicate sheets of guitar waltz in, but its beauty is devoured by the snarling interruptions that bite through. The expressive snare work adds a dramatic effect to the ever-present ringing guitar.

'Challenger' A more traditional alternative rock instrumental, this one cranks up the grunge, using some predictable chord progressions along the way.

'Math of Vortex' Melodically odder than any of the previous pieces, this second lengthy piece contains all the previous elements with a few derivations. For example, although the bass has been more of a supporting act in the other compositions, in this one, it receives a bit of focus. That signature twinkling guitar after the silence is stellar.

'Caronte' Similar in tone to 'Challenger,' the grunge factor is mixed with a pulsating rhythm, almost a heartbeat. In time, it evolves into full-blown metal, ending with a nice bass groove.

'Japanese Rockets' Although clearly the same band, the guitar players involve other techniques, such as palm-muted phrases, which add subtle variety to what could have easily become a stale listening experience.