What makes Identification Parade by The Octopus Project notable?

This album was notable for its inventive blend of genres, contributing to the rise of instrumental rock and electronic music in the early 2000s. It received positive reviews from various outlets and helped establish The Octopus Project as a significant act within the indie and experimental music community. Identification Parade is The Octopus Project's second studio album, following their debut, One Ten Hundred Thousand Million, released in 2000. By this time, the band had begun to refine their unique sound, incorporating more intricate arrangements and diverse influences while solidifying their place in the burgeoning experimental music scene.

How many songs are on Identification Parade?

Identification Parade has 9 tracks, running approximately 43 minutes.

Identification Parade

The Octopus Project · 2002

43 min · 9 tracks

A kaleidoscopic blend of electronic textures and live instrumentation that evokes a playful yet introspective atmosphere.

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Top tracks — play these first

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What They Found — Opening with an infectious melody and layered soundscapes, this track sets the tone for the album's exploration of texture and rhythm.
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The Way Things Go — The extended runtime showcases the band's ability to build tension through gradual sonic evolution, making it a highlight of their experimental approach.
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Crying at the Aquarium — This track stands out with its evocative title and emotional depth, combining lush instrumentation with a reflective atmosphere that resonates throughout the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases inventive compositions and unique instrumentation, though its cohesion is somewhat uneven.

What we noticed

The album opens with a track that layers electronic beats over live instrumentation, creating a textured soundscape.
Several tracks feature abrupt transitions between sections, shifting from melodic passages to more chaotic, noise-driven segments.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. 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.

Tracklist

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

1 What They Found 3:04
2 Rorol 4:55
3 The Way Things Go 7:02
4 Righteous Ape & Bird 4:56
5 Marshall Examines His Carcass 3:03
6 Its Caption Was a Star 4:13
7 Crying at the Aquarium 5:50
8 Porno Disaster 2:29
9 Hypnopaedia 8:18

What to play next

Listen next

One Ten Hundred Thousand Million

2005

Full The Octopus Project discography Artists like The Octopus Project

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata