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Ozric Tentacles and the fruitful offerings of The YumYum Tree
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"The YumYum Tree" by Ozric Tentacles.
Ozric Tentacles may not be a name every music-loving household is familiar with, but that's not to say they don't deserve to be. Having worked and thrived under the radar without major record label backing for the last 25 years, the Ozrics (as they're affectionately referred to by their devoted followers) have enjoyed the kind of enduring career a lot of bands only dream of.
Putting the average life span of most bands at the lesser of 5 years or the time it takes for planet-sized egos to tear each other apart, the Ozrics' quarter-century seems like an impossible feat. Granted, there have been more than a few personnel changes in that time (spawning spin-off bands with even stranger names, like Eat Static and Nodens Ictus) but the fact that throughout it all the band has managed to retain its unique musical identity may be even more incredible.
The music of Ozric Tentacles, an energetic blend of psychedelic electronica and space rock groove, has made the band one of the leading heavyweights in their field, and their latest album is a solid testament to their continuing innovation. "The YumYum Tree" (aptly titled for its abundance of tasty offerings) is an album that works like an 8-song journey through a musical menagerie of influences and styles. From Eastern-influenced melodies supported by driving techno beats, to bouncing rhythms and ska-laden jams, to soundscapes of ethereal keyboard textures and frenetic tracks riddled with trance-like loops, each song is woven together by the impressive (yet somehow understated) electric guitar work of Ed Wynne. Wynne, the only original member since the band's inception in the mid-80s, is probably one of the world's most underrated guitar players by virtue of the fact that he seems to know exactly when to let his Hendrix demon loose, and when to put it back in the closet to let the rest of the musicians have their say and avoid coming off like a self-important showboat. In short, the guy's a breath of fresh air.
Having paid dues the good old-fashioned way--through years of live performances in smaller venues and on the festival circuit where they've amassed an impressive following--the Ozrics seem far from over. Recently relocated to Colorado, the band intends to take advantage of their newfound stateside status by raising their profile as permanent contributors to the US jam band scene. A frequently-changing calendar of upcoming gigs is available on the band's website, along with a plentitude of colorful merchandise and back catalog releases.
For more info: www.ozrics.com
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