The Ocean - Precambrian
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Speaking of The Ocean, I've reviewed their album Precambrian at Pitchfork. It came out last November, so it didn't make many year-end lists (if I ran a label, I would finish each year's release schedule by October for such purposes). Precambrian would have - or should have - dominated them. Sadly, there's no critic herd mentality for it like there was for Mastodon's Leviathan, a lesser work. 83 minutes of exploding color, with more literary references than a 200 level class - I could hardly circumscribe it with mere language.
Ectasian (excerpt)Rhyacian (excerpt)
The Ocean are undertaking a massive tour of Europe, UK, US, and Canada. This German collective doesn't cross the pond often, so don't miss out. For tour dates, see here.
Labels: clee, germany, prog metal, sludge metal
8 Comments:
I'm definitely going to have to check this out. Great write-up.
By the way, since you began writing for Pitchfork, what are your means for determining the 100-point grade for each record?
Thanks, Floodwatch. I don't really pay attention to the 100-point scale and score as I would on a 10-point one, rounded to the nearest half-point. Then the editors mess with my score.
I need to revisit Precambrian. When I wrote it up for Metal Edge, it seemed like Neurosis and Mastodon and Meshuggah had already had all the Ocean's best ideas, years earlier. But when I stumbled across it still in my iPod the other week, it seemed to reveal hidden depths.
"Precambrian is our stance against MySpace-induced volatileness and transience...[...]
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/theoceancollective"
I have no trouble realising how the latter doesn't completely invalidate the former, but it would be nice to see the band forego the benefits of myspace exposure just for consistency of message.
I think I've seen an interview where the guy from The Ocean essentially called MySpace a necessary evil. It's all in how you use it. Some people stalk kids there; others make music accessible to listeners. The Ocean have music clips and tour dates on MySpace - the most important info - and a more involved actual website for aesthetic presentation. But who visits band websites now? They are such dead ends.
While I don't agree that Leviathan is a "lesser work", your praise for THIS record and band is more than justified. Dynamic, heady, thrilling stuff. I'm new to your writing, and I'll be back for more. Please keep up the good work!
Thanks for the kind words, Wayne. I'm glad others have caught onto this amazing record.
Precambrian doesn't even need the lyrical conceit to kick ass, but the fact that it's so well conceptualized makes it even better. Wish I was in Europe when The Ocean toured with Intronaut.
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