The 23rd album from Thee Oh Sees, or their first under the name Osees, Prothean Threat takes John Dwyer’s band a little further into the spheres of progressive rock, thankfully without the soporific and pretentious side of such music. Here, Dwyer and his band furiously explore the genre by grafting on a bit of abrasive avant-punk, even outright hardcore on “Scramble Suit II”, which kicks off the album, some strong touches of psychedelic garage-rock, and a good dose of jazz experimentation. The result is a surprising record, rich and varied, adventurous, perfectly mastered, and with an astonishing musicality. Undoubtedly one of the most daring and accomplished works of the Californian combo, which shows no sign of shortness of breath or lack of inspiration, even after all these years.
