Member:
ffroyd
(Profile)
(All Album Reviews by ffroyd)
Date:
5/24/2009
Format:
CD (Album)
Ok, so the Ozrics have been releasing the exact same album for the past…well, their entire career. It might be something to complain about if that wasn’t such a great album. The typical OT album consists of lots of strange swirly synth tones, scorching lead guitar, a strong rhythm section and lots of cool artwork. This album is no different but the method still seems to be fresh. I don’t know how they do it.
For this album, Ed and Brandi Wynne are joined by Ollie Seagle on drums and Vinny Shillito on bass. In 1990 while on tour in the UK, Vinny had substituted for the ailing Roly Wynne and later went on to form his own group Grooveweird. I was thinking that Brandi would continue as the bass player since she did such a great job on the Sunrise Festival show and album but this was not to be.
The title The Yumyum Tree is inspired by a line in Lewis Carroll’s famous nonsense poem “Jabberwocky”. When I first heard it, I thought it was a somewhat goofy name for an album but after seeing the artwork the title seemed appropriate. While they always have nice trippy album covers, I would say this one ranks among my favorites.
As far as the songs go, there aren’t really any standout tracks on the album. I don’t mean that in a bad way, the entire album is very consistent. If I had to pick favorites, I would probably go with “Mooncalf”. “Nakuru” and “Oolong Oolong” but that could easily change the next time I listen to the disc. I’ve seen some people complain that there isn’t enough guitar work on the disc. I can see their point but just as I say that I’m listening to the album and along comes a great guitar part on the title track.
One item of news that comes with this release is that the band has relocated to the United States, specifically the Colorado region. They are reporting that this was done because they want to play more U.S. festivals and do more touring here. Some of the fans have mentioned that it also might be closer to Brandi’s family. I think it was a good move and they’ve already scored a headline spot on the Progday lineup this year.
Those out there who might be looking for the Ozrics to come out with an entirely new sound are going to have to wait. If you are like me and dig the band just the way they are, this album should already be in your collection. So this album sounds exactly like their last album which sounded exactly like the previous album which sounded exactly like the one before that which sounded...etc. I might find a reason to complain why this is a bad thing one of these years but for now, I’ll continue to enjoy these delicious sounds. Yum!
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