  |
|
|
|
The Bakersfield, CA, boys of Lost Ocean release their Credential Recordings debut next month, the arresting and ambient self-titled CD that will release you to soar.
The quartet that is Lost Ocean (Skyler Johnson: keys, Jeff Gray: vocals, guitars, Bret Black: bass, and Christopher Short: drums) have a startling super-power: they are able to create a mood intense enough to feel like time travel. Their moody keyboard-driven space rock lifts you from the confines of your day and places you in a convertible driving down the Pacific Coast Highway. At midnight. Full moon shining on the ocean. The lost ocean. Oh yeah. Each of the Lost Ocean players are exceptionally capable, and together they have written ten tracks of deeply nuanced prog rock thick with sound. Skyler Johnson’s moody keys rapidly build a wall of trippy sound, Jeff Gray’s lofty, expressive vocals dart in and out, and the superb rhythm section drives in the nails with a focused precision that stuns. These songs will transport you, inviting you to soar with them on new journeys of self-discovery and exultation. Sounds big? Uh huh, and it gets only richer with repeated listens. The innovative opener “Believe” sets a tone immediately, with its blend of ambience and power, each axe making a statement of presence without overwhelming the others. The gentle dance continues with the melodic wanderings of “Still Life.” There’s a great deal going on in the lead single, “Just Glide,” with its sparkling and frenetic keys at once both romantic and almost discordant. Christopher Short’s drums pin you to your seat with their power and precision on this track, and for that matter, throughout the project. The dance between melody and rhythm is flawless on “Lost Ocean,” and has much to do with the album’s effect on your senses. It is easy to get lost in the juxtaposition of the sultry tone and airy chords of “Mute,” or the instrumental thickness against the chorale feel of “Trust.” A standout track has to be the throbbing “Everything Is,” with its epic feel. Lost Ocean uses Gray’s soaring vocals and Johnson’s relentless piano to paint a picture of restlessness, and you find your own nerves beginning to feel edgy. Therein lies the power of Lost Ocean: their soundscapes draw you into raw sonic excursions that promise revelation. They are musical explorers of the highest order, and their appearance feels quite timely to me. Start off your new year with the adventurous discoveries of Lost Ocean, streeting Feb. 20. Just remember to set your steering to cruise control.
The copyright of the article Lost Ocean: Review in Christian Music is owned by Kevan Breitinger. Permission to republish Lost Ocean: Review in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
|
|
|
|
