DIIV: Oshin Vinyl LP

Wow. I just realized I have listened to this album a lot. A LOT! I have had this for over two years already, and I listen to it like it’s brand new. It really never gets stale or boring. The gentle harmonies of these songs just sneak their way into my head and then I have to hear them.I’m not gonna talk about tremolo guitar notes and stuff. This album takes the carefree, blissful moments in life and immortalizes them into music. Sure, you got problems, bills, work, and drama in your life – we all do – but when this album plays, those things go away for a little while, even if it’s just a split second. When this plays, you’re on a beach with friends soaking up sun; you’re young and lighthearted; you’re discovering the little things in life that make it worth living.Sure, they could be compared to The Cure, Echo and the Bunnymen, Cocteau Twins, and bands like that, but I think they go way beyond that in their own right. This isn’t just an 80’s dream pop revival band; they have morphed all their influences into their own thing. For one, I think they’re more melodic and charismatic, and their songs flow better and create more of a dynamic wall-of-sound experience. They are less post-punk and have much more of a jangly surf rock/beach pop feel. When listening to them, you don’t just hear guitar, drums, and vocals. You hear the sound of youth and the melody of hope.The standout songs have to be “How Long Have You Known” and “Sometime” and I say that because I find those sneaking their way into my head when I’m not listening to it the most.So next time work piles up, or that mortgage payment comes, just put this album on, and it will all melt away... even just for a second.

This is not the first press as shown in picture, it’s the updated album art by Chris Lux. I ordered from Amazon under the impression I was going to receive the first press because of the photo showing the first press album art, all in all I should have known better. This album is 5 stars, but I’m giving 3 stars to the seller for the misleading photo.

I heard an early U2 inspired guitar riff on the radio and was intrigued. I bought this album and am really enjoying it. Yes, they do sound a bit like Real Estate amped up a bit, but that extra amp makes their sound more interesting to me. I think this is a strong effort from a promising new band.They do invoke that early U2 sound on some songs and then just interesting dream pop progressions that are all their own that makes for a very rewarding sound.I look forward to their next album.

I like the energy and great guitar playing on each tune, mostly three-minute offerings of what sound like Fender Fests. Fender Frolics. I told some buddies they sound like the Beach Boys or Ventures on steroids. Only a couple dogs with fleas among the 13 songs. Vocals could use some clarity, too. The final song is a 180-degree departure that stuns and mesmerizes.As commanded on the back cover of Ziggy Stardust, it applies to Oshin: To Be Played at Maximum Volume, especially tracks 3, 5 and 12.Good show, boys! Can't wait for the next album.

New band I am digging on hard. Young kids trying to revive 60's/70's psychedelia with a post-modern twist. It is a smooth, progressive sound reminiscent of early psychedelia rock like Pink Floyd & Can mixed with co-opted jams that easily distract the visual listener from the the 'hipster', fashion-conscious appearance. DIIV's music, thus far, is authentic and really good. In summation, DIIV's Oshin is refreshing, smart and beautiful. Great music that can make you disappear, for better, for worse.

I know a lot of people compare DIIv to Beach Fossils, and of course, Cole is in both bands. But, they are different bands although some of the sounds may be similar. With DIIV, you will get more of an 80's vibe more than the surf vibe. With DIIV, you will get to hear more bass, and just in general, you'll hear more instruments come out. You will see the Nirvana influence as well... You need to be a real fan to see it and hear it. Overall, I think this is one of the best albums which have come out this year. It is definitely worth it.

I only came across this band a few weeks ago and wow are they good. It's hard to describe this album, sort of surf-rock-ish, sort of post-rock-ish. Amazing guitar that takes the forefront over the vocals. DIIV creates a beautiful sound. This is one of the best albums I've heard in a long time.

Discovered DIIV when this album was released, and for the next few years saw Zachary Smith occasionally on the street. I've sunken deeply into both their albums, and I saw them play a fantastic show.I'm still listening to this album years later. It's incredibly versatile music in my opinion -- good for solitude, company, sadness, happiness, intoxication or sobriety.

Imagine layers of echo infused reverby guitars, with a suite of catchy pulsing driving drums and proper bass playing. The kind of music where each member is playing different notes in the same key and it all just runs together in a harmonious groove. In fact, without detracting from the recording, imagine Ian Brown way back in the mix with tonnes of Reverb in Fools Gold, jamming with Johnny Marr and Charlie Burchill AND Dave Evans on guitars with delay and chorus, backed by Adam Clayton on bass and the previous reviewers moderate Kraut Rock back beat. But imagine it's 10 times better than that just sounded. Catchy, infectious, almost dancy (but not in front of your mates) music for the sake of music. I think it's great - and very well arranged. Love it.

Oshin is the debut album by DIIV, one of the most exciting bands on the planet at the minute. It was released a couple of years back, it's dreamy hooks, indistinguishable vocals and sublime instrumentation captured the attention of the music buying public. It has a dreamy, mellow mood to it all round, which is contrary to the New Yorkers' chaotic live sets.Both sides open with two minute long instrumentals, titled Druun pt 1 & 2. Whilst Druun 1 sounds reminiscent of Joy Division's Disorder, the faster paced Druun 2 sounds cosmic and much more unlike anything else you've ever heard.In terms of sheer highlights, 3 songs stand out; Past Lives, Air Conditioning and Doused. Past Lives' descending melody sounds almost euphoric, but mournful too as frontman Cole Smith goes through one of his finer lyrical moments. Smith's songwriting style throughout is minimalistic, but effective.Air Conditioning is my personal favourite, and it is the longest song on the LP. It's the moment where DIIV's biggest influences come together to form the perfect blissed-out pop song; the dreamy guitar tones of Ride and the Cocteau Twins merge with the motorik rhythms of Neu! and Amon Duul. Again the lyrics are a really minor part of the song, but when dreamy guitar lines sound like they do on Air Conditioning, singing matters not a jot.The least dreamy moment on Oshin is Doused. Doused often ends DIIV's live shows for one reason: it sounds like it's about to finish for the duration of it's 220 second runtime. It's a very frantic song, but is easily the records highlight. Devin Perez's repetitive bassline and the fast descending riff too contribute to Oshin's Penultimate track being one of 2012's high points.Although it lacks dynamic variety elsewhere, catchy pop song How Long Have You Known?, the melancholy Follow and the harsh sounding title track add up to make Oshin one of, if not THE album of 2012, and poises DIIV's sophomore album to be one of the decades great records.I thoroughly implore anyone considering purchasing this LP, or tickets to see the band to do so. The album itself is accessible to begin with, but also a grower. The band clearly have a great taste in music themselves, because the likes of Joy Division, Neu! and Ride shine through on this wonderful debut album. Please buy it, you won't regret it.

Great album, the artwork on the vinyls sleeve is almost worth owning even if the album wasn't so enjoyable - fortunately both are great!

A great album - very chilled and hypnotic. Definitely one to play through from start to finish - just let it wash over you!

4 stars because the album cover was different from the one "advertised" i don't really give care, but some Vinyl fanatic could be devastated so I figured i'd bring that forward. I think the new cover is slicker anyway, see attatched.Doused is a banger of a track.