Manchester's OCEANSIZE are one of a small coterie of bands (also including Muse and The Music) who understand the true meaning of the word 'Epic'. Yeah, it's a much-vilified word in rock lore, I know, and one we tend to fall back on when describing the worst lighter-waving stadium pillockry. Yet 'Epic' takes on a new, almost noble meaning when left in capable hands such as these.
The seismic shock waves that emanated from the band's incredible debut album "Effloresce" (2003) have barely receded in your reviewer's overheating mind, but he's ready and strapped in again for the next instalment: the curiously-titled "Music For Nurses" EP.
The 'Size have sensibly recalled producer Chris Sheldon to the producer's chair for the opening duo of tracks and he once again somehow harnesses this supernaturally good quintet's reserves of power.
"One Out Of None" is one hell of an opener. It begins with an ominous, droning pulse which is promptly clubbed into submission by Mark Herrin's hectoring drumming and then THE RIFF. You want monolithic, huh? Wimps! Oceansize go way beyond merely 'monolithic'. The riff here is like being smacked full in the face by Jupiter while you're out walking the dog.'Absolutely fucking massive' doesn't even get close.
The rest of the tune finds the 'Size riding Atlantic Storm-size waves of melody and intrigue, with Mike Vennart's dark, commanding voice rising to screams of intensity that have to be heard to be believed. Typically, it also features a lovely, calming interlude where they bring it down to simply build the walls higher again for a larger detonation. Yeah, you could say I like it.
The remainder of the EP again shows just how far ahead of most of the competition Oceansize are. "Paper Champion" eases into life on loops, loping tension and another ominous drone which this time doesn't entirely die away. Vennart's voice is compressed and utterly desolate and when he mutters about "severed tongues and glowing eyes, and a threat that comes as no surprise," it's my guess he could be talking about serial killers. But that's purely supposition. Whatever, the track itself is tricksy and difficult to pin down, with Herrin's syncopation continually pricking the skin of a track that condones Radiohead-style samples and only allows the band's customary power surge in after the four minute mark.
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The other three tracks are taken from sessions with producer Mark Williams, but - even minus Sheldon's presence - are barely less impressive. "Drag The 'Nal" is a brief, beautiful but slightly funereal linking piece. Listen closely and you'll even hear the ripples on the water as Vennart's voice drifts out into the stratosphere.
It segues seamlessly into "Dead Dogs An' All Sorts", where Oceansize initially display their more pastoral side, not a million miles away from Talk Talk's "Spirit Of Eden" in mood, in fact. It's redemptive and dreamy for a while, but the power is only restrained on a short lead, and after 2 minutes 45, guitarists Vennart, Gambler and Steve Durose again meet on the landing pad to await the countdown. When it comes, their vertical take-off is truly spectacular.
Once again, this segues straight into closing track "As The Smoke Clears". This time, the earthmoving intro finds them hitting a crescendo in under a minute, but only for the band to rebuild the track through a blurry drone. For a while, it sounds pretty measured by the 'Size's exacting standards, but by the three-minute mark, they're again straddling the outer limits. By five minutes, the guitars are spent and punctuated by Herrin's final, animalistic blasts. By the sixth minute it's done and reverberating out into space.
I doubt the NHS would approve of "Music For Nurses", as its' industrial-strength prescription would surely remain off limits. For the rest of us, though, it's surely the most intoxicating blast of ether there could be. Sod the anaesthetics: breathe in and go for the burn.
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