This gem of an EP was
sent to me out of the blue, and having no idea what to expect, this
instrumental four-piece from Austin,
TX - where else? All new exciting
music seems to emanate from The Lone
Star State
these days - had me enthralled from the word go. Formed by guitarist/multi-instrumentalist
Danny G and based on songs from his solo work, the four reworked tracks featured
here are other-worldly and magical. The band set-up is traditional with guitar,
bass guitar and drums but with the somewhat odd addition of a saxophone. Sounds
strange? I thought so too until I pressed played and hit outer space in a nano
second.
Based on a foundation of
tripped-out, mellow yet riff-infused instrumental space rock, Ocean Of Stars
brings a whole new meaning to this particular style. Melanie Martinez and Ric
Furley on bass guitar and drums respectively, lays down such an amazing backdrop
allowing Derek Rodriguez, sax, and Danny G free reign to do what they want. And
man, they put this freedom to great use. Even though Danny and Derek perform
solos in the traditional fashion, they love to step forward and create
beautiful visions and images as well.
A trippy solitary guitar
initiates opener 'Ocean
of Stars',
conjuring a whacked out space trip, eventually joined by the rest of the band
before launching into a heavier mode. All of a sudden, the pace drops down to a
slower, trippier part. And this how the songs goes, ebbing and flowing between
tempos, creating images of what I think it would feel like to travel through
the universe. Fantastic! Going balls out from the start 'Hammerfoot' is a
different kind of beast. While the guitar and the sax harmonizes the riffs, the
bass guitar and the drums pounds out the rhythms so effortlessly and elegantly.
An awesome feature is the Eastern European folk feel in certain parts where
Derek takes the center stage.
'Sinners & Science' continues where 'Hammerfoot'
left off but quickly becomes the rocker of the EP. That's most apparent when
Danny pulls off a couple of blistering solos. It also has a really nice groove
and some great riff work by the sax. 'Brief Ties To Space' ends this
amazing EP, and while at first being a natural continuation of 'Sinners
& Science', it slowly builds up in short bursts to eventually erupt
towards the latter half of the song. The band goes all out and really shakes my
foundations, just like a closer should. Before it's all over, Ocean Of Stars
ties the end together with the beginning making a full circle in this
mind-blowing musical journey.
I have probably said it
many times before, so bear with me. But being a music lover there's nothing I
like more than being surprised by a, to me, unknown band. And that's the case
with Ocean Of Stars. Putting their distinct mark in a
time when it's very hard for a band to stand out for good reasons, these Texans
do so and then some! I can not state enough how taken aback I am by their prowess
and elegance in creating one-of-a-kind music. So I urge you, dear waveriders,
to seek this band out and give them a chance. Their
music is far too good to be ignored.
-
Swedebeast
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