I, Octopus - I'd Rather Be a Lightning Rod Than a Seismograph [CD]

The 11 tracks contained on ....Lightning Rod are complex, yet organic, and present a very mature sound from a band that has worked tirelessly to carve a niche for themselves on the New Orleans music scene through years of steady gigging. What's most striking about the album is how fluid this band is at manipulating dynamics. From the dreamy psychedelia of "I'm Not Sad I'm Just Curious" to the cracked-out video game feel of "Rag Tag Bunch of Apostrophes " to the aggressive, rock-your-face-off audio assault on "Exponential Flatland Theorem" I, Octopus proves it's not afraid to take chances. Covering such a vast musical terrain gives ... Lightning Rod an epic quality, and the ease with which I, Octopus makes these transitions speaks volumes. -Mark LaMaire, Offbeat Magazine.