2018's Smote Reverser feels like the culmination of all the experimentation the band has undertaken over the previous few years, the final steps of Dwyer's ascent to guitar genius, and the kind of album whose deep mysteries will keep people buzzing for years.
The spectacular glowing monster looming above an orgy of fiery destruction on the cover of Smote Reverser looks like it erupted from the spirit visions of the late great elven king Ronnie James Dio himself. Sprawling, magnificent, dangerous and fantastical; this beast is – however extraordinary – an apt representation of the 11-song extravaganza it adorns here.
Picking up from where they left off with last year’s Orc, Smote Reverser is linked by its very inability to sound like a grander project. Less thematic or cohesive than other records, Smote Reverser is, quite deliberately, a record that sounds like an endless stream-of-consciousness, with no underlying nucleus that pulls it all together.
By the time of Smote Reverser's finale 'Beat Quest', it's plain difficult to not be impressed by this insanely talented band yet again – may their reign long continue.
The band’s 21st album swerves its own weird way through Sixties and Seventies rock.
New album Smote Reverser stretches all these sounds to Dwyer’s furthest explorations yet, tying in elements of jazz, metal and prog for an ambitious, if occasionally overwrought epic (note: album cover is accurate).
By no means does Smote Reverser signal a downward trajectory for Oh Sees. It’s just a reminder of how much better they are when working at their full potential.
Few of the riffs grab you, less stands out, but the effort put in makes for something to admire.
Occasionally, the album threatens to go Spinal Tap-ish ... But when Dwyer steeps the prog in garage frenzy, the pot boils.
Though it's a pretty solid work of modern psych, Smote Reverser isn't the wall-to-wall excitement that Oh Sees' last few albums have been.
First of all, I would like to talk about the cover art. Frankly, it was a huge slap in my face. Oh Sees has clearly released the artwork of 2018. With a dark and apocalyptic cover and a very fast single ready to destroy your psyche ("Overthrown"), John Dwyer makes believe his fans that he will even more harden the sound of his new entity Oh Sees (formerly Thee Oh Sees). But no, John and his band will not do Metal on this "Smote Reverser", but they will continue in their ... read more
Calling this a Garage Punk record is a huge stretch, as this is more of a Psychidelic Rock and Krautrock project more than anything, and as a Psychidelic Rock and Krautrock album, it's pretty good, but I can't help but think that a good chunk of this record could've been a lot better, if it was actually going for something greater than being fine to put on in the background and not much else
Because in its current state, this album is a pretty relaxing experience with a few tracks that try to ... read more
Calling this a Garage Punk record is a huge stretch, as this is more of a Psychidelic Rock and Krautrock project more than anything, and as a Psychidelic Rock and Krautrock album, it's pretty good, but I can't help but think that a good chunk of this record could've been a lot better, if it was actually going for something greater than being fine to put on in the background and not much else
Because in its current state, this album is a pretty relaxing experience with a few tracks that try to ... read more
osees marathon will not end today
probably the osees album where they jam out the most. the whole album has a nice feel and the dungeons and dragons theme is engaging. the only weakness is that long track in the middle of the album which fucks with the pacing in my opinion. overall this ones very groovy and one of my favourites.
1 | Sentient Oona 5:34 | 83 |
2 | Enrique El Cobrador 3:53 | 81 |
3 | C 4:21 | 80 |
4 | Overthrown 2:41 | 89 |
5 | Last Peace 7:41 | 82 |
6 | Moon Bog 4:56 | 85 |
7 | Anthemic Aggressor 12:13 | 62 |
8 | Abysmal Urn 3:25 | 81 |
9 | Nail House Needle Boys 4:40 | 79 |
10 | Flies Bump Against the Glass 4:25 | 67 |
11 | Beat Quest 6:04 | 81 |
#10 | / | Rough Trade |
#22 | / | Drift |
#24 | / | MOJO |
#38 | / | Piccadilly Records |