Frames＜限定盤＞

Never let it be said that Oceansize don't come up with their share of intriguing song titles. On Frames, the song titles include "Sleeping Dogs and Dead Lions," "Commemorative 9/11 T-Shirt," "Trail of Fire," and "Only Twin." But then, Frames is an intriguing listen even if one doesn't speak a word of English and has no idea what any of those titles mean. In the past, some nay-sayers have tried to dismiss Oceansize as either a poor man's Radiohead or a low-rent version of Coldplay. But as Frames demonstrates, Oceansize's moody, atmospheric alternative pop/rock has many influences other than Radiohead and Coldplay. During the course of the album, the Manchester, England residents draw on a long list of influences that also includes Pink Floyd, the Police, U2, the Cocteau Twins, Roxy Music, and, of course, the Beatles. Occasionally, Frames veers a bit into alternative metal and hardcore territory, but the album's heavier, more metallic moments are the exception instead of the rule; this is a band that, all things considered, would rather float than rock. Frames is by far Oceansize's most consistent release -- and it is a good place to start out if one is exploring their work for the first time. ~ Alex Henderson