The Octopus Project are one of Austin’s most interesting bands. Part performance art, part experimental pop, part pure magic. On July 9th, they released their fifth album Fever Forms, and I can’t get enough of it. Their songs are not necessarily verse-chorus-verse, sometimes just instrumental, repeating a musical theme, and then layering and layering sounds and instruments until you get the most glorious peaks and dense, lush soundscapes. On top of that, it’s danceable progrock. The album opens with “The Falls”, an onslaught of electric guitar licks, aaaaahhh’s, and fantastic frenetic beats. There’s a very epic feel to “The Mythical E.L.C.”, all charging drums and bouncy basslines layered upon each other until they create a wall of blissful sound. And that’s before the vocals have even started! My favorite track on the album is the more traditional “The Man with the Golden Hand”, a great major key bonanza that is reminiscent of Passion Pit and Generationals, as bleeps and bops from synths come from every angle. Makes me think of dancing in the sun. “Sharpteeth” closes out the album with catchy, poppy synths rocking out until only one is left, trailing off into the night, leaving a great ending note on the album. As you can see, lots of adjectives describe The Octopus Project. While they have a great cult following in Austin, this album really represents their live show well, and will definitely garner them new fans.

Check out the first single: “Whitby”

And watch the video for their second single: “Sharpteeth”

And by all means, go see them live!

Tour Dates

08 06 13 NEW ORLEANS / ONE EYED JACKS
08 07 13 MOBILE / ALABAMA MUSIC BOX
08 09 13 ATLANTA / DRUNKEN UNICORN
08 10 13 KNOXVILLE / PILOT LIGHT
08 11 13 CHAPEL HILL / LOCAL 506
08 13 13 PHILADELPHIA / JOHNNY BRENDA’S
08 14 13 WASHINGTON / DC9
08 15 13 CAMBRIDGE / TT THE BEARS #
08 16 13 BURLINGTON / HIGHER GROUND
08 17 13 NEW YORK / MERCURY LOUNGE
08 19 13 COLUMBUS / KOBO
08 20 13 PONTIAC / THE PIKE ROOM
08 23 13 CHICAGO / SUBTERRANEAN
08 24 13 MINNEAPOLIS / 7TH ST. ENTRY
08 25 13 KANSAS CITY / THE RECORD BAR
09 05 13 BRYAN / GRAND STAFFORD THEATER
09 07 13 SAN ANTONIO / LIMELITE
09 11 13 NORMAN / OPOLIS
09 13 13 DENVER / LARIMER LOUNGE
09 14 13 SALT LAKE CITY / KILBY COURT
09 16 13 SEATTLE / CHOP SUEY
09 17 13 PORTLAND / MISSISSIPPI STUDIOS
09 19 13 SACRAMENTO / HARLOW’S NIGHT CLUB
09 20 13 SAN FRANCISCO / CAFE DU NORD
09 21 13 LOS ANGELES / THE ECHO
09 22 13 SAN DIEGO / SODA BAR
09 24 13 PHOENIX / RHYTHM ROOM