Lost Ocean Lost Ocean Credential Recordings Rock 02-07-2007

SCORE 87%

The Bakersfield, CA 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 and banality of your day and drops you into a convertible heading 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 arresting tracks of deeply nuanced alt rock thick with ambience. 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.

The shimmering rock opener “Believe” sets an artful tone immediately, with its balance of mood and subtle power, each instrument making a statement of presence without overwhelming the others. “Still Life” wanders through melodic shifts and time changes, creating a glacial soundscape thick with instrumentation and innovative vocal expression. There’s a lot going on in 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.” While Lost Ocean’s musicality is above reproach, lyrically I found them a bit opaque at times. With a lesser band this would be a greater problem; you may find them a bit impersonal or their spirituality too veiled. One could make the argument that the sonic beauty itself points heavenward, but most of us need more direction to make that connection.

The epic, throbbing “Everything Is a Trust” stands out easily. Gray’s soaring vocals and Johnson’s relentless piano create a moody restlessness, and you find your own nerves beginning to feel frayed. Therein lies the power of Lost Ocean: their soundscapes draw you into gorgeous sonic excursions that tap against your senses and promise revelation. They are musical explorers of the highest order ready to impact you both emotionally and intuitively. Just remember to set your steering to cruise control.