STYLE: Rock RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 10076-9631 LABEL: Independent FORMAT: CD Album
Reviewed by Steve Best
Blac Ocean's website describes them as ".the evolution of ideas and sounds chronicling the development of its members as individuals and a collective of artists. The creative community continues stretching sonic boundaries with innovative blends of instruments, sounds, and lyrics." So there you have it! What you need to know is that this music literally defies description - I have never heard anything like it. From the opening almost mantra-like six and a half minute epic "Song Of Xavier" through the quasi funk of "Why Us", the air is full of mellotrons, acoustic sections, prog elements, songs almost classical-like in construction, psychedelia ("Christ Has Risen"), huge breathy vocals ("Who Has You"). Blac Ocean is all about evoking the mystery of God very successfully with their sonic soundscapes, and while the playing may not always be 100 per cent tight and the production can be a bit low-fi in places, you can't help forgiving them because this is utterly compelling and really rather wonderful.
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