Spirals in Hyperspace

Spirals, while not as bad as the awful 'Paper Monkeys' was when the Ozrics as a band started to fall apart. While I can't say I loved every song on previous albums, I certain liked at least 1/2 the album. With this album I only liked 2 songs.

Having seen them live twice last year, I also don't think that the current Ozric line up is that good. I remember seeing them 2 nights in a row back in the mid 90s and being blown away by how different they were. The current line up just don't improvise much and everything seems far too rehearsed. I want the 2nd show to sound different and yet the only person who really improvises is the guitarist. That never used to be the case. They also are relying far too much on the old 'hits', yet they don't play those hits anywhere near as good as they used to. Will the magic every return? Time will tell, though I fear not with the current line up.

Spirals was more of a solo project, or an Ed Wynne plus guests. But then, at least the guests had talent unlike the current Ozrics lineup (I'm talking Paper Monkeys here) Frankly since Spirals, their last 3 albums have seen them fall to depths I though unimaginable back in the 90s. Spirals does have a couple of good tracks, with Merv on one and Steve Hillage on the other. But 2 tracks doesnt make it a good album.

I used to be a huge fan of the Ozrics and couldn't wait till their albums were released. The reason why I didn't buy this album before Christmas is that I already knew that it would be medicore at best. Unfortunately, it was worse than medicore. My main reason for fearing this was knowing how poor the current line up is. Ed Wynne can still play, of that there is no doubt. The others in the band are medicore at best, in reality quite talentless. The weakest link it has to be said is Brandi who not only has no talent, but it is no coincedence that the other musicians quit as soon as she arrived on the scene. Put it this way, if only she was as good as Yoko Ono!!! Nowhere near.

The Ozric Tentacles used to be one of the greatest live acts out there! They were extremely tight and each album truely was a band effort. When they had people like Merv, Jumpin Jon, Joie, Roly, Zia and Seaweed each individual contributed to an amazing live performance. It was out of this world! Live, they played like noone else. Better than Hawkwind, better than Steve Hillage & Gong, better than Shpongle. The line up also helped create quality albums such as Pungent Effulgent, Erpland, Jurassic Shift, Waterfall cities to name just a few.

It makes me sad to say, but I have to agree with the other reviewers who are honest enough to admit that Ozrics pre-hidden step compared to the 'Brandi show' are like a totally different band. I'm astonished that Brandi is considered good enough to be in the band. How long will Ed cut off his nose to spite his face? Fact is she is talentless. The rest of the line up isn't much better.

Ed's formulae for an album just doesn't work with this line up, nor will it ever will. Those who give this album rave reviews either never saw the Ozrics in their peak, or haven't heard of their earlier stuff (nor listened to Eat Static, Shpongle, Younger Brother, Aphex Twin, Shulman, Entheogenic... the list goes on). Frankly there are a lot more musicians out there now who have long since overtaken the Ozrics. This is sad as like I say, Ed Wynne should be doing better than this. For those that gave this 5 stars I say, lay off the drugs!!! A bit of honesty instead of sycophantly nodding yer head and accepting medicority. Who knows if more people were honest, the band line up may change for the better. There must be better musicians out there that would love to play with Ed. Well, one can only hope.

After Spirals, Floors too far away, Yum Yum Tree and Paper Monkeys, I really hope that Ed Wynne uses his talents elsewhere, there must be MANY bands out their desperate for a guitarist who has such unbelievable talent. Or even a solo project or something. I feel he really must play with people who have the same exceptional talent as him.

The fact is none of the current line up are good and thats a simple fact. The current line up are very, VERY poor and rely on playing the old hits live, yet nowhere near as good as any of the classic band line ups. Brandi just doesn't have it I'm afraid, I know there is a marriage going on there, but she just can't improvise at all, this is shown especially at the live shows.

It's sad as Ed could be doing so much more with his talent. I hope he drops the project altogether and moves on to newer things instead of sinking into the abyss.