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A veritable prog metal "supergroup," O.S.I. -- the "Office of Strategic Influence" -- was formed by Fates Warning guitarist Jim Matheos, Chroma Key and former Dream Theater keyboardist Kevin Moore, and Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy, with help from Gordian Knot bassist Sean Malone. Like similar collaborations, such as Transatlantic or Liquid Tension Experiment (many of which feature the same rotating cast of six or eight talented players), O.S.I.'s debut album is more than the sum of its disparate parts. Office of Strategic Influence masterfully blends '70s-styled progressive rock, heavily influenced by King Crimson and Pink Floyd, with an '80s-era heavy metal aesthetic, and the avant-garde sound of underground indie rockers such as Max Vague.
The album-opening instrumental, "The New Math (What He Said)," is a fast-paced rocker, Matheos' guitar clamoring for attention above the din of Portnoy's crashing rhythms and Moore's manic keyboard work. Like Rick Wakeman-era Yes on steroids, the song showcases the threesome's musical abilities and jump-starts Office of Strategic Influence with a jolt. The following material offers little to disappoint, the band keeping up the frantic pace on songs such as "When You're Ready" and "Dirt from a Holy Place," the performances crackling with electricity and passion. Lengthy instrumental passages are powerful and purposeful: an integral part of each composition rather than an excuse to merely "jam." The individual talents of O.S.I. mesh seamlessly, blending instrumental virtuosity with oblique lyrics, creating an album that is as physical an experience as it is an intellectual exercise.
In any other subgenre of rock, Matheos would be a guitar hero on the order of Steve Vai or Eddie Van Halen, the Fates Warning frontman capable of both classically styled acoustic craftsmanship and chaotic metallic riffing, often in the context of the same song. Office of Strategic Influence allows the underrated axeman a chance to spread his wings and fly high, while Malone and Portnoy hold down the bottom line with rock-solid rhythms. Kevin Moore is the other focal point here, the keyboard wizard providing an instrumental counterpoint to Matheos' raging guitar. Moore's imaginative style and natural skill coax a myriad of sounds from his instrument to challenge Matheos in the mix. Offering both power and pomp, O.S.I. would appeal to fans of classic prog rock and modern heavy metal alike. The regular-release single disc version of Office of Strategic Influence includes a video of "Horseshoes and B-52's." The two-CD limited-edition package offers three new songs, including a blistering cover of Pink Floyd's "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun" and a five-song video documentary: munchies for your computer. ~ Rev. Keith A. Gordon
Track Listing(tentative)
The New Math (what he said)
When You're Ready
Horseshoes And B-52's
Hello, Helicopter!
ShutDOWN
Dirt From A Holy Place
Memory Daydreams Lapses
Standby (Looks Like Rain)
Recorded at the Carriage House Studio, Connecticut.
O.S.I.: Kevin Moore (vocals, keyboards); Jim Matheos (guitar); Mike Portnoy (drums).
Additional personnel: Steven Wilson (vocals); Sean Malone (bass).
Office Of Strategic Influence Music
O S I - Office Of Strategic Influence Songs
Office Of Strategic Influence Music
Office Of Strategic Influence Music Review
Average Rating: (4.2 out of 5 stars)    List All 130 Reviews O.S.I.Prog metal comp.
An exellent release featuring some of prog metals best musicians. Songs ranging from dark to heavy mood swings but in a very enjoyable manner. These guys should do this again soon!
Submitted by omegaman631 (Port St. Lucie Fl,USA) 
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No
Awesome Sound!
I've been listening to this CD for years, and now its on my iPod. Still diggin' it. The critique I have is that it needs a "real" singer because Moore's voice just doesn't work for me, but the music is so awesome that it doesn't matter. One thing I've learned is that if Portnoy is on an album; it's bound to be quality music.
Submitted by James (Minneapolis, MN)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Prog metal greatness at its max
This album is truly a magnum opus. I mena, with Mike Portnoy and/or Kevin Moore, you know it's gonna have something good in store. This album is great from beginning to end. My fave song would probably be "shutDOWN". A must-have for any Dream Theater fan.
Submitted by David K (Simpsonville, SC)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Excellent music all around
A well paced and well produced album. A must have and a rare find. Virtually every song is a gem and love the line " ...and I hated your friends best of all." freaking poets man.
Submitted by skildude (texas)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Different, entertaining, new direction for new millennium
Being a big fan of Porcupine Tree, Dream Theatre, Fates Warning, I had been waiting for this CD to come out since I heard of its possibility. And I wasn't disappointed either. The song "shutDOWN" which features Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree is worth buying for the one song if you're a fan of PT. The opening 2 tracks "The New Math" and "OSI" set the pace for the CD. Lots of audio clips in background through out the CD. Track 3 "When You're Ready", Track 5 "Head", and Track 6 "Hello Helicopter!" are a little mellower but Porcupine Tree-ish mind expanding songs which is a great intro for Steven Wilson's vocals on Track 7 "shutDOWN". Track 10 "Satndyby (looks like rain)" is great, but way too short! As soon as you start to get into the groove, its over! Its only 2:09 long. needs to be at least 5 or 6 minutes and it would be perfect! On the Limited Edition CD, THe cover of Pink Floyd's "Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun" is awesome! That is followed by a song called "New Mama" which I find one of the most enjoyable songs on the CD with audio clips from the RAMBO movies through out it. This CD gets as much play as Porcupine Tree's "in absentia" and is in my TOP 10 CD's of the year. Great progressive CD. A must have for your collection!!!
Submitted by PorcupineTree4me (Chattanooga, TN, USA)
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