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: : Spirals in Hyperspace : :
After several albums, several different record labels, Ozric Tentacles have finally
settled in with Magna Carta records for their 27th album. Many fans
alike, will tell you that these guys continue to play the same song, the same song
that they have played for the past several years, and they play it well, but besides
being typecast within the jam band scene, for which their foundation of musicianship
is built on belongs, their sound does not.
With a sound that
has more in common with groups like the “space rock” pioneers Hawkwind/Nik Turner,
early Syd Barrett acid trip Psychedelia, as well as early prog influences such as
Camel and Caravan, brought forth with a “Shrapnel” records guitar shredding sound,
electronic sampling, and the opium den inspired artwork that has graced many of
their album covers; having much more in common with the prog rock scene rather than
your college neo-hippie jam band crowd, who usually find themselves within the
“safe” sound of bands like Phish and Widespread Panic.
Whether it’s the
Moog oscillators providing space noises, the quick drum tempos providing near techno
beats, the edgy metal guitar work, as well as the jamming factor brought forth,
Ozric Tentacles still bring their own sound to the table, beyond your typical “math
rock” connotations.
Spirals in Hyperspace follows the same path as 2000’s Hidden Step,
offering the same beat heavy stance filled with the intriguing and yet somewhat
avant-garde melodies that are in a sense far fetched from any standardized song
structure. Opening up with “Chewier,” and carrying on with cuts like “Psychic Chasm”
and “Plasmoid,” being typical beat frenzy cuts filled with the synths carrying the
main melody as well as the noises offering up the soloing along with the guitar
itself, it’s clear at this point where this record is going; in many directions. The
title track has it’s somewhat jazz tempo, complete with fluid vibe playing mixed
with the fusion of both analog synth and guitars ending up in the forefront,
following in this same path is another smooth jazz-fusion cut called “Toka Tola.”
The record itself find’s itself going back and forth without real song constancy,
causing this record to lack any redundancy.
There are plenty of the atmospheric cuts on the record, providing more or less a
(Robert) Fripp inspired soundscape to the overall mix, “Akasha,” “Oakum,” and
“Slinky” are clear examples of this.
All in all, the production on this record follows the same discrete mix and sound as
many of the past OT records, and in order for all the noises to make it past the
dense sound, it has to be, complete with the spaciousness and panning to make this a
listening experience to go beyond your speakers.
But whether it’s the analog synthesizers, space noises,
distorted flutes, near dance oriented beats, Spirals in Hyperspace, offer yet
another intricate release from the prog rock/Jam Band scenes’ most mystical group, a
must for fans, a good place for the curious to start.
Rating: 9/10 Stars
Reviewer: Tommy Hash
: : Visit the Artist’s
Website : :
: : Discography : :
Erpsongs - 1985
Tantric Obstacles - 1985
Live Ethereal Cereal - 1986
There Is Nothing - 1986
Sliding Gliding Worlds - 1988
The Bits Between the Bits - 1989
Pungent Effulgent - 1989
Erpland - 1990
Strangeitude - 1991
Sploosh/Live Throbbe - 1991
Afterswish - 1991
Live Underslunky - 1992
Jurassic Shift - 1993
Ozric Tentacles - 1993
Vitamen Enhanced - 1994
Arborescence - 1994
Become the Other - 1995
Curious Corn - 1997
Spice Doubt - 1998
Swirly Terminations 1998 - 2000
Ozric Tentacles WaterFall Cities 1999
Nodens Ictus Spacelines 2000
The Hidden Step 2000
Pyramidion - 2001
Oakum - 2001
Live at the Pongmasters Ball - 2002 CD & DVD
Spirals in Hyperspace CD - 2004 |
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