Many have said over the years that if you have heard one Ozric Tentacles album you have heard them all. I'm sure to the die-hard fan who has followed the band since the mid-80's and 20+ albums later will cry "blasphemy" at that statement, but there is little argument that the band follows a similar pattern on each release. The Floor's Too Far Away once again sees the Ozric's brand of instrumental space jams in full flight, as the band drifts and soars through nine tracks of psychedelic, proggy, space rock, complete with mind-blowing keyboard explorations, searing guitar work, and an amalgam of acoustic and electronic percussion. It's a formula that has worked spectacularly over the years, and continues to do so here.
Band leader Ed fires off some impressive and explosive guitar solos throughout the album, especially on the groove laden "Spacebase", an accurate title for this adventurous 9-minute space jam that also features some wild synths and drum programming. The combination of techno grooves, ethnic flavors, and huge bass sounds propel "Disdots" (another song to feature hot guitar work), and the band settles in for jazzier, fusion based terrain on the alluring "Etherclock". However, it's the rampaging funk-meets-techno blasts of "Splat!" that is sure to get audiences up and grooving, especially in a live setting where it's sure to be a hit. Featuring huge bass lines, walls of bubbling synths, techno drum patterns, and scorching guitar lines, this is a monster track that really has mass appeal.
So pop on The Floor's Too Far Away and prepare to me mesmerized by the latest platter from Ozric Tentacles. If upbeat instrumental music featuring techno rhythms, phat beats, and loads of synths & guitar is your thing, then soar with the Ozric's by checking this out.
Track listing
1. Bolshem
2. Armchair Journey
3. Jelly Lips
4. Vedavox
5. Spacebase
6. Disdots
7. Etherclock
8. Splat!
9. Ping