Frames

Album Review

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.