the ocean floor

".sounds eerily like the jazz soundtracks to "The Muppet Show" pouring into a pop that's density rivals Henry Cow. The Ocean Floor are writing symphonies by quotation. They're not simply rehashing psych-rock or folk; they have created a pop that's contemporary from history's plateaus." - Andrew Jones, Skyscraper Magazine



"Enamored with a sense of wonder and fascination while never supposing that the novelty of any given situation can ever run out, the album is a loot bag of bejeweled sounds and Barrington’s lyrical versions of a suburban magic-realism. It contains anti-cynicism in concentrated form and whimsical weirdness for weirdness’ sake, all of it bypassing twee’s often overbearing preciousness and supposition that being calculatedly unconventional or childlike should be enough."

- cokemachineglow



". (Pop Quiz) is an album of immense beauty, with a wealth of knowledge presented in an unobtrusive, well mannered style. Barrington reaches out but asks for very little, he provides the kindling to start the debate and takes the opportunity to explain himself thoroughly and effortlessly." - Einstein Music Journal/NZ



"This Portland band left me slack-jawed with surprise and delight. It's the perfect record for tramping around in your favorite old-growth forest, watching the ferns grow. Lane Barrington's springy good humor and light-as-a-twinkie vocals make me smile every time I hear them. The acoustic jazz sound takes some very unusual turns--some tracks are perhaps less than accessible. But on songs like "A Simple Adventure", he's really on to something."

- April Baer, OPB Morning Edition



the ocean floor - inner ear from prettydamnnotbad on Vimeo.