Curious Corn cover

Curious Corn

Ozric Tentacles · 1997

46 min · 7 tracks · progressive rock

A kaleidoscopic blend of progressive rock and ethereal soundscapes that transports listeners through cosmic realms.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Curious Corn — The title track serves as a centerpiece, weaving together intricate melodies and hypnotic rhythms that exemplify the band's distinctive style.
  • →
    Afroclonk — This track features a unique blend of world music influences with spacey synths, capturing the adventurous spirit of the album.
  • →
    Oolite Grove — With its rich tapestry of sounds and engaging transitions, this track showcases the band's ability to create immersive sonic landscapes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

68 /100
Alpine
Higher than 93% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate compositions and dynamic arrangements typical of progressive rock, maintaining listener interest over time.

What we noticed

  • The album features extended instrumental passages, with several tracks exceeding six minutes, allowing for intricate musical explorations.
  • Synthesizers and guitar interplay prominently throughout, often layering melodic lines that weave in and out of the mix.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
8/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • long, immersive listening sessions
  • gradual builds and payoffs
  • dynamic emotional journeys
  • steady, consistent energy levels

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Critical Peak — 'Curious Corn' is often cited as a high point in the band's discography, showcasing intricate compositions.
Career context
When 'Curious Corn' was released in 1997, Ozric Tentacles was already a well-established name in the underground music scene, known for their fusion of progressive and psychedelic rock. This album came as their fifth studio release, following the success of 'The Bits Between the Bits,' showcasing their evolving sound and commitment to instrumental exploration.
Stylistic neighbors
Gong· Can· Hawkwind

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Spyroid 3:47
  • 2 Oolite Grove 5:57
  • 3 Afroclonk 8:06
  • 4 Curious Corn 10:56
  • 5 Oddentity 7:00
  • 6 Papyrus 5:32
  • 7 Meander 5:13

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata