Up through about 1994 or 1995, I made an earnest attempt to keep up with all new progressive rock releases. Back then, new prog albums came out in a trickle from various places around the globe. And then suddenly, progressive albums were being released from all types of labels and genres, many of them unlikely sources. It became an impossible task. So I begin to focus on what I enjoyed most in the modern era, while continuing to deep dive into the 70s and early 80s.
Oh Sees is exactly the type of band that I've missed all these years. Originally known as Thee Oh Sees, the San Francisco based group has released close to 3 dozen albums. And I'd never even heard of them. Of course they've changed their styles over the years, and based on what I've read, perhaps their earlier work would be of less interest to me.
On a side note, one of the problems with partnering with a local "hip" record store is the constant "push" for me to use my trade credit on new albums that I otherwise wouldn't consider. Why is that a problem - isn't that a good thing? Yes... and no. The exposure is great, of course I want to hear new things. But I absolutely must downsize, and there's plenty of older albums I still want to get. Remember I prefer CDs to LPs for modern music. So here's what happens: "You should check this out". 9 times out of 10, it's stoner music. I don't really like that stuff - never have. OK, there was a Kyuss stretch in the early 90s, but otherwise... And I usually get this back "You don't like anything... you just like old stuff... like you". LOL. All true, you know. But it's not that I don't like it, it's that I can't own everything under the sun. Which gets us back to the first paragraph.
But it was hard to deny Smote Reverser, as this album contains everything I like about modern progressive. It's psychedelic influenced, and the analog instrumentation is fantastic. You'd think a band that puts out as much product as Oh Sees has, wouldn't be able to bring this kind of creativity, but they certainly do here. They do a great job of laying down a complex beat followed by a jam or other progressions. In many ways I was reminded of late 90s acts such as Mushroom or Cosmic Invention. It's definitely Krautrock influenced. So yea, Can and Neu! are in this conversation. You'll also hear some Group 1850, Hawkwind, and even a little bit of Motorhead. And for another modern comparison, maybe Titan comes to mind.
It would be easy to want to explore the band's full catalog, and maybe I will. But not all at once.
Ownership: LP: 2018 Castle Face. Acquired at What's Next here in the Springs. 2 LP set cut at 45 rpm. Single sleeve cover, with colorful inners and an insert with recording details. Has a download card too. A very nice package overall. Oh, and the cover is entirely misleading. It looks like something Celtic Frost or similar would release. Not a prog like cover, that's for sure.
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