EP Review- The Support Band- Oceans of The Moon

Words by Anselm Anderson

English Songwriter Chris Riley of The False Poets has been busy this year with two lengthy releases from his side project entitled The Support Band.  I have chosen to review the shortest of the two Oceans of the Moon, released in May via Nice Mind Records. The Five-Track EP clocks in at One hour and three minutes and sees Riley team up with experimental noise maker Whitevanperil. The spacey release is an appetiser for the debut LP Imitations, released in June.

Oceans of the Moon is a giant step away from the '60s-influenced folk of The False Poets. Instead, it takes the listener on a crescendo of instrumental melodies entwined with blues, folk, and ambience, which will delight fans of Pink Floyd and Tangerine Dream.

The echoes of washed-up waves awaken our senses on the opener 'Oceans of the Moon (Remix), which excites in evoking the sounds of early Pink Floyd. The guitar interplays with excellent production to create a sense of longing. Next up is 'Alien Standoff', an interplanetary battle that soon ups the tempo with some Wild West-infused guitar play. The track takes the listener from the shores to another musical landscape to continue this melodic self-discovery.

I reiterate it's a lengthy tale of instrumental music expertly put together to put your feet up and relax. The varying degrees of emotion behind each guitar part tells a story for as much of the listener as it does for the duo behind the music.  The shoegaze pop on 'Riptide' is an exception as Riley sings over psychedelic melodies that speak to the listener in this hazy place.

Sediment' is a 16-minute track that gradually builds towards its conclusion. The strong use of synthesisers contrasts the 70's guitar-based music of the first two tracks. And finally, fans are treated to a bonus track of an extended version of where we began.

Overall, there are few weaknesses to point out here. Oceans of the Moon is a taster for the lengthier release, which came out a month later. I opted for this because it reminded me that instrumental rock is a good substitute for us to appreciate. I recommend this for those that want to take an hour aside to lie down and drift away through some solid music.

Rating: 4/5

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The Ep is available to stream alongside 'Imitations' via all platforms. You can also purchase them from the Niceminds.Bandcamp.com website.

You can here the entire EP via the Spotify player below