Oceansize - New Pin

Thu 30th Mar, 2006 in Music Reviews

It’s a fair observation to make of Mancunian prog-rock navel gazers Oceansize that they’ve have had an onerous time of late.  Primarily due to poorly timed release dates and distribution blunders on the part of their record company, their albums have – at times – been difficult to find in stores, much to the annoyance of disgruntled fans.

Renowned for their sprawling epic songs and breathy vocals Oceansize were once regarded as the darlings of the British progressive rock scene, at times being branded the most prominent band of their genre.  It’s lamentable that after an inspiring EP and an even more enlivening full-length album, their third release has endured the disdain and derision of a vacillating press, which once ardently courted them.

What is even more lamentable is the fact that the first single, New Pin, from the album Everything Into Position isn’t as dreadful as they would have you believe.  Whilst most of the reviews have been harsh, New Pin is quite a competent tune, even in spite of the rather daft title.  It still features the ambitious atmospheric hooks, husky vocals and contemplative lyrics that have hallmarked their earlier work but lacks the innovation they were previously celebrated for.  It’s a pity that the five seconds of electro beats which bookend the song weren’t integrated into the body, as it would have given it more substance.

The b-side, Superfluous To Requirements (an even dafter title), features a far more catchier melody with a soaring chorus that is a little more restrained but offers more of a specific melodic direction than the formless New Pin.  It has a far more potent impact on the listener with its perfectly melded guitar riffs and electronic hooks.

It’s easy to see what Oceansize are aiming for with New Pin and such a shame that they’ve received such disparaging press.  Perhaps the problem rests in trying to release a single with a wide market appeal. Whilst it captures the listener’s attention it doesn’t have enough substance to hold any interest once the song has finished. 

Oceansize have released a competent single but their past work has affirmed that they are capable of a much better standard and it’s up to the diligent music loving public to actively search for it, that is if their back catalogue has made it into the stores yet.