Ozric Tentacles, Future Sound of London, Porcupine Tree

Posted by: Alex S. on 27 July 2001

Sound good on Naim gear

Try Ozrics if you like spaced out guitar, synths, good (real) druming, flute etc, especially the last 2 albums - Waterfall Cities and The Hidden Step. A bit like Orbital with attitude and musicianship instead of sampling.

For sampling and interesting noises try Future Sound of London.

For a modern axeman style and some good tunes try Porcupine Tree.

Posted on: 27 July 2001 by Sproggle

I've had a copy of Sploosh for many years but haven't heard anything else by the Ozric Tentacles - what else of theirs do you recommend?

--Jeremy

Posted on: 27 July 2001 by Former member

Now were talking

Jeremy - I've got Erpland, Jurassic Shift and Strangeitude although my fave has got to be Jurassic Shift. Not sure if Alex agrees but it's probably the one I'd advise on getting out of the three although they've done loads more albums.

Ahh FSOL. I got really into them when Lifeforms came out thanks to Papua New Guinea on Accelerator. Very dark/trippy/paranoid and sometimes uplifting stuff but cool too. Well worth checking out. ISDN was a good album too but not quite as good as Lifeforms.

Alex - If you like FSOL stuff then you will probably like Polygon Window - Surfing on Sinewaves (if you've not got it already). A tad old (1990) but Richard D James at his best.

Cheers

Posted on: 28 July 2001 by Former member

Once you've been through the limited number of Albums this lot have released, do try their e.p.s - they're often very long and contain stuff that isn't on the albums. For example, the Lifeforms 1-7 e.p. (almost an new album in itself) and the classic Papua New Guinea e.p.

There's also their contract-avoiding album recorded under the name "Amorphous Androgynous".

Posted on: 28 July 2001 by Former member

Alex S

Thank you for the pointer in Porcupine Tree's direction. Fom the above you'll see I'm a big FSOL fan and also own 6 Ozric CDs, so I took a look and listen to your other recommendation and liked what I heard, so I've just ordered Coma Divine (I do like live albums).

I love the daisy-chain of recommendations (e.g. at Amazon.com). I've discovered so much that I didn't know existed over the last two years or so.

It's funny how the combinations of things we as individuals link together differs. I'd have probably completed the sequence FSOl -> Ozrics with System 7 or Sounds From The Ground!

Nick

Posted on: 28 July 2001 by Sproggle

--Jeremy

Posted on: 28 July 2001 by Alex S.

And have all their albums, some re-released recently (beware appalling CD quality) and an ep.

I think Waterfall Cities, Hidden Step and Curious Corn are the best (in that order) but the earlier ones certainly are good too.

I tracked down Amorphous Androgenous a while back and was not disappointed. I'll go hunting for FSL eps

Thanks Alex

Posted on: 31 July 2001 by Former member

Alex S

Thank you! Coma Divine arrived today and am loving it even though I'm only halfway through The Sky Moves Sideways. Really well recorded too.

Eerie thing though - at the beginnig of this track (5) there's an occasional spacey synth coming from the right channel. Every time it sounds, it appears to be coming from BEHIND my right shoulder, actually making me look...

Cheers, Nick

Posted on: 01 August 2001 by Alex S.

Those following this thread might like to check out the above

Posted on: 01 August 2001 by Alex S.

Glad to be of service

Posted on: 02 August 2001 by Former member

Similarly to Alex S's post, try out Shpongle - despite the rather naff name, they're excellent, with whiffs of Ozrics, Banco with a dash of Dub House and Trance. Alex, your CDS2 will produce some astonishing sounds from down deep.

For older hippie-ish folk, they feature the flautist from Quintessence (late 60's early 70's Indian-influenced band) Raja Ram, who is now a successful Goa-Trance DJ (even though he has to be even older than me!

Posted on: 02 August 2001 by Tony L

Anyone care to recommend a good Ozric's album for starters? They are a band that I have somehow managed to miss out on completely. I have pretty much everything else mentioned on this thread: just about everything by both FSOL and Orbital including the singles, 3 albums by Banco De Gaia, the Amorphous Androgynous album and a few Eat Static albums (I believe they are an Ozric's spin off), so I guess I should probably like 'em.

Tony.

Posted on: 02 August 2001 by Former member

I was following one of those recommendation trails on Amazon (Can't remember where I started, but it might have been Dreadzone or Sounds From The Ground both of which I can heartily recommend if you like a more dubby/ambient dub tinge to your electronica), came across the name and thought that they must be naff, but gave a few tracks a listen and away I went. It's been a doddle to turn my friends onto it. Sadly there's just the one...

Posted on: 02 August 2001 by Alex S.

To repeat - go get Waterfall Cities and if you like it buy Hidden Step.

The only caveat is that Waterfall Cities gets pretty noisy guitarwise but its well recorded and grows on you.

ps Are you insured?

Posted on: 02 August 2001 by Alex S.

Just hopped to the amazon site and found the following "review". I hope the guy who wrote it doesn't mind my posting his prose here. I decided not to send it to Private Eye.

quote:
Ed and his merry minstrels provide another 7 windows of musical beauty that tickle the aural lobes transcending normative musical structures with mellifluous tones that harmonise and massage the mind. This meticulous musical masterpiece sees the Ozrics delineate a harder production style with a prime example depicted on the climax to opening track 'Coily' as the drum explode out of the speakers in an orgasmic musical frenzy during the coda. Sexual overtones aside, 'Xingu' contains a memorable melodic keyboard line that is so distinctive that erasure from the portholes of the mind is futile. The maelstrom of rhythmic loops, guitar crescendos and layered keyboard textures that comprise the title track encompass a cornucopia of sonic sounds with distinctive interlocking musical passages to provide an 11 minute transcription of one of the best Ozric tracks ever produced. 'Spiralmind' transports the listener to the Far East with a spicy keyboard inflection dominating throughout with images of Chineses Junks and setting suns that pacifies the mind, especially after the full-on throttle of the preceding tracks. 'Sultana Destrii' is primarily a vehicle for bass pyrotechnics as typically the band embellish and colour this piece as the bass grooves, dances and gyrates throughout. The track is enhanced by the vibe of cool underplaying that allows each player to explore and expand their musical repertoire. The concluding 'Aura Borealis' soothes the soul as the music depicts the Norther Lights,(from which the title is taken), as the ambient soundscapes the Ozrics utilise slowly releases the listener into a state of 'oneness' and contentment as the rhythmic pulses slow to a tranquil beat. Yet another masterful display of vocal-free musical pieces that fully denounce the dilettantes proclaiming the essentialism of chorus-laden 'pop' foder.

Posted on: 03 August 2001 by Former member

Well pseud me. It's enough to make you buy a Steps CD instead....

Well spotted!

Posted on: 03 August 2001 by Alex S.

You should read this guy's Steps reviews.

ps A lot of fun can be had reading various Amazonian drivel.

Posted on: 03 August 2001 by Alex S.

Re-listened this morning. Perhaps Hidden Step should come first - its more approachable; but if you're brave you'll go for Waterfall'.

Posted on: 03 August 2001 by Goose

Alex and co
I am a MASSIVE Ozrics/ PT fan an have virtually everything both bands have released...Glad you like the same kind of stuff..

Ozrics drummer RAD has just left, and my brother saw them in concert a few weeks ago and says the new drummer is more MERV style(e)...

All I can say is AEYRVEDIC ( or however it's spelt!)
My OZRICS Fave's

Strangeitude (... space between your ears sound AWESOME on Good Kit!)
Erpland
Live Underslunky
#Afterswish...

ENJOY
Take care Goose

Posted on: 06 August 2001 by Former member

Alex S (Or anyone else with a view!)

Having scored a tremendous success with Coma Divine, which Porcupine Tree album to go for next?

Posted on: 07 August 2001 by Alex S.

Met,

On the Sunday of Life - Some big hits and a few misses, lots of variety.

Lightbulb Sun - More commercial but consistently good.

Recordings - I'd get this after the other 2 if your still unsated.

Voyage 34 - Don't have it.

In the word of ken c - "enjoy"

Alex

Posted on: 07 August 2001 by Former member

Is that Flemmish then?

Posted on: 08 August 2001 by Stephen Bennett

I have to butt in here and recommend Porcupine Tree's Steven Wilsons other band 'No-man'. Their new album 'Returning Jesus' is very fine indeed. I also have to own up to a connection here - I've just recorded an album with No-Mans Tim Bowness - the band is 'henry fool'. Two tracks were remixed my Steven. And then there is Stevens 'bass Communion' for lovers of ambient. Lots of interesting music.

/advert on

henry fool http://www.collective.co.uk/henryfool
Porky's, No-man links from there

/advert off

Regards

Stephen

Posted on: 09 August 2001 by Alex S.

There is also an Ozrics/Eat Static collaboration called Nodens Ictus which released Spacelines. This contains Ozric style synth wanderings without most of the guitar and IMO much of the excitement. Nonetheless, those of a more ambient disposition might prefer it. Thankfully, it is devoid of Eat Static's insistent club (in both senses) bass.

Stephen: I'll check out your post - sounds interesting.

Posted on: 13 August 2001 by Former member

Picked up Lightbulb Sun and Stupid Dream cheap (liked the former, less so with the latter) and have "Sunday" on order. So far, so well recommended - thanks.

Noticed on the web site that there's a new live coming out (internet only). I shall pounce.

They're doing a set in Faversham this weekend with Caravan (another fave of mine), but sadly it's too short notice...<sniff>

Posted on: 13 August 2001 by Stephen Bennett

I too wanted to go to the Caravan/P Tree festival - no tents needed. Last years sounded good too - Gong were playing I believe. Ah well - maybe next year.

Even more blatent plug

btw Alex (and others who may be interested)

The henry fool album is available now on www.burningshed.com along with No-man, Bass communion (Steven Wilsons ambient act) and some other interesting stuff.

OK, thats my last advert - honest!

Stephen