Solid Underslunky
The masters of tripped out ambient groove rock psychedelia return with a double album Technicians of the Sacred, their first release since Paper Monkeys in 2011. Of course it is unmistakenly Ozric Tentacles because nobody else sounds like them and right from the off it is clear that all the usual elements are in place; the electronic pulse, backed by organic rhythms and swirling keyboards that create a deep groove. It couldn’t really be Ozrics without Ed Wynne’s signature guitar sound and although it takes a good four minutes before it makes an appearance, when it does, it does so in some style. The last couple of minutes of opener The High Pass show yet again what a great guitarist Ed is.
If you were to level a criticism against the band it would be that at times some of the tracks lack a little direction and they are happy to let them roll along without ever reaching a defined peak. The counter to that perhaps is that it all contributes to the overall feel of the album and accentuates the real highlights, of which there are a few. The overt eastern feel of Epiphlioy for example gives all the band a chance to shine and is the perfect foil for Ed’s guitar; once the solo kicks in around the five minute mark it’s a quite glorious work out that soars and swoops and really takes you on a journey.
Yes it is very familiar and there are no surprises but it’s also damn good! It throbs and pulses, injects you with rhythm and occasionally it takes you somewhere else and leaves you there for a few minutes! Album closer Zenlike Creature is a delicious ambient trip complete with bird song that just washes over the listener and is guaranteed to leave a smile on the face. It's said that music is a drug and if that’s the case then Ozric Tentacles are definitely Class A.