Frames – Mosaik

Steamhammer/SPV

A smidge of Oceansize, a tadge of Steven Wilson and a healthy smattering of Pure Reason Revolution (The Dark Third). Those are just some of the references I draw from this astonishingly good debut from German art-rock instrumental band Frames. It literally is a mosaic of emotive and epic aural works; eleven tracks of intelligently honed contemporary rock that meander from one to the next drawing the listener through the experience and on a journey of unexpected musical delights. Vocals are totally unnecessary as the instruments are totally in control, whether atmospheric, slowly building in atmosphere or tension, or in hard rock mode. A Tubular Bells for 2010 might just be overegging it, but this certainly is a sterling debut from an exceptionally talented young band.
- DP