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If you thought authentic alternative ended in the nineties (during the days of Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins and other iconic performances), think again.
Yes -- these rockers still roam from stage to stage with their swarms of frenzied fans, but when their tours come to a stop, true alternative tunes will not be a thing of the past, buried deep beneath the ocean sea under layers and layers of new styles and sounds. A hero masked under the name of Oceansize survives, and continues to record fresh renditions of extensive, eclectic and raw alternative rock.
From across the Atlantic comes a tidal wave of talent: five young men dedicated to the perpetuation of heavy guitar playing accompanied by a pounding backline and effervescent, energetic vocals. Barely ten years old as a band, these English lads might be toddlers in the world of illustrious grunge and gargantuan arena tours, but child prodigies when it comes to making the music.
The almost-spiritual sounding lyrics lunging out of Mike Vennart's loquacious lungs drift in and out of entrancing, drawn-out guitar solos supplemented by dizzying synthetics (think Incubus intros).
In seven minutes and twenty seconds, The Charm Offensive bobbles from solemn, seductive lyrics to softer, more meaningful melodies, to passionate, scratching screams -- all held afloat by that steady backbeat.
The rest of the record follows a similar route -- each song traveling into uncharted territories of time and tempo, exotic ports of sound and style -- but always brought back on course by the unwavering waves of rhythm.
Some numbers linger at different stops a little longer than others. Heaven Alive hovers in the harbor of sonic space-rock -- with words a little less heavenly and riffs a little more menacing -- whereas Ornament/The Last Wrongs (also the last and longest song, with lyrics like "treasure time and savor taste"), generates a gentle, magnanimous melody.
And while these guys are out to tackle "adventures on the high seas of rock giganticism," they are not above sharing their softer side with worlds outside of the familiar fanbase -- the track Meredith saw some airtime on the trendy teen hit, The O.C..
All in all, the album Everyone Into Position is definitely one you're going to want to plunge into, and soak up 'til your fingers wrinkle.
Additional Tracks:
A Homage To A Shame
No Tomorrow
Buy Everyone Into Position for $3.46
