MUSIC REVIEW: Ozric Tentacles - Arborescence

"Beyond words."

If anyone's been paying attention, I've done four reviews for Ozric Tentacles albums to date, and each time I've struggled to describe their music. Again, I will give it a shot (futile though it might be). Most people put them together with the good ol' instrumental progressive/space rock category, but there's so much more to it. It's got that ambient factor of electronica and the "bumpin'" element of techno, but it's unmistakably rock music. Yet still there's the African, Eastern, and Arabic influences that further distinguish this wacky bunch of virtuosos.

So throw it all in the blender, and what do you get? Something truly unique and mystifying, served up smooth. Hell if I know what to call it, but it's damn cool. Although there aren't really hooks, the music is aurally addictive. Each song is weirdly evocative and intense, with unparalleled dynamics of tempo and texture. All songs are great, but ya gotta give special mention to the longest song, which in this case is "Yog-Bar-Og." It undulates in intensity, all the while building to a wicked climax! It's 10 minutes of what the Ozrics do best, but again, what that is is difficult to describe. Some words that come to mind when listening are: "Trippy," "Fuzzy," "Plosive," "Glistening," "Smooth," "Watery," "Magical," "Steamy," "Groovy," "Cosmic," "Spacey," "Celestial Jungle Power," "Rawkin,'" and "Monkeys." Yep, there's my helpful review...I'm sure it told you everything you wanted to know, hoi hoi.

MUSIC REVIEW: Ozric Tentacles - Strangeitude

"OUT OF THIS WORLD!"

This album is absolutely incredible. Here, the Ozrics' diverse amalgam of styles comes together in some of the most logical, coherent, and especially exciting ways. If you've never heard this band before, imagine (if you can) a band playing instrumental progressive rock, techno, world music, and psychedelic crazy bits and you've got a bit of an idea of what these guys are like. Ultimately, they defy classification...you just have to listen. Their songs range from groovy, atmospheric "jungle jams" (does that make sense?) to out-of-this-world space rock with some of the neatest synthesizers I've heard.

Compared to other Ozrics albums, this is one of the better ones. Their albums are all pretty similar, so it's difficult to pick out individual constituents and identify the better qualities...there's just something ineffably "right" about this album. And it's killer! There is absolutely no other band I know of that sounds anything like this, which adds to their alluring mystique. I don't know what else to say...it's just freakin' good.

MUSIC REVIEW: Ozric Tentacles - Tantric Obstacles / Erpsongs

"SUPERB!"

I can honestly say I love Ozric Tentacles' music like Oprah loves Big Mac combos -- I get powerful cravings, and then I want to eat the music! But for the life of me I can't describe it accurately. I usually think of it as an amalgam of progressive rock, electronic (less of that here, though), world music, new age, and other touches that defy classification. So I can't pigeonhole it, but I can say it's great music.

Erpsongs and Tantric Obstacles were the band's first releases, both on cassette back in the 80s. Here, you get both on CD for about 2 hours of definitive Ozric tunes. That's means it's a TWO-FER, which is awesome by default. But it's especially awesome when you are dealing with an Ozric two-fer. At this early time in their careers the band had much shorter songs, generally assembled around just a few musical ideas as opposed to the longer, more diverse works they would later write. As always, it keeps you guessing...they are always adding cool Eastern progressions, quirky synths, exotic percussion, and other things that make for eclectic yet undeniably cohesive music.

Ozric Tentacles - The Hidden Step

"No one knows what it is, but it's damn cool."

Ozric Tentacles' latest album pretty much encapsulates all their best qualities. Like all their albums, this disc sounds like something from another dimension, fusing jazz with space rock with African and Middle Eastern song influences. Sometimes people compartmentalize them as an hippie stoner jam band, but that's...not quite right. With those heavy downbeats and synthesizer-laden tracks, an initial suspicion is that the Ozrics are some kind of electro group. While they do acknowledge various conventions of that genre, make no mistake - they are a rock band. Their elaborate, inventive, and sophisticated musicianship combined with a knack for dynamic and innovative songwriting and a crystal-clear production all mesh and take you on a crazy instrumental music ride that only this band can offer. Swirling sonic textures blend and weave in hypnotizing patterns, and sometimes you must simply stop and be amazed by what these folks are doing. Songs also ooze atmosphere, especially on songs where they utilize Eastern chord progressions. Very cool. The songs are perfectly varied, from the energizing opener "Holohedron" to the slow, mesmerizing "Aramanu" to the jaw-dropping dynamics of "Tight Spin" (with a killer acoustic solo to boot!). Great CD.