Do Make Say Think
You, You're a History in Rust
Constellation (2007)
In recent years, post-rock has become the urban sprawl of independent music. Invasive, bloated, and undeniably comfortable, it has steadily, albeit consciously, delineated from its richer, more substantive origins to assume the role of pleasant background music, antiseptically reliable but hopelessly predictable. Tortoise's feral meanderings and Mogwai's bulky, aggressive overtones have been replaced by Explosions in the Sky's brand of sanitized consonance and Mono's overly dramatic pensiveness. It's not that the offerings of Explosions in the Sky or Mono (or the busload of other contemporaries that base their musical existence on the twelve minute, crescendo-climax-outro formula) aren't aesthetically appealing. Rather, it just seems as if the genre has lost its creative compass, settling for pedestrian acquiescence in lieu of any sort tangible imaginative progression. Do Make Say Think's fifth and latest full length, You, You're a History in Rust, however, proves that all is not lost in the post-rock world. Certainly, upon first glance, the most remarkable aspect of the album is its application of vocals to several different tracks and its deeply texturized, pine and earth feel. Described by the band as "like moths drawn to a flame, instruments trace erratic circles around a flickering, elusive centre," You, You're … Read more
Marnie Stern
In Advance of the Broken Arm
Kill Rock Stars (2007)
It took me a little while to hear the music in this music. At first and even tenth listen, Marnie … Read more
Holy Roman Empire
The Longue Durée
Hewhocorrupts Inc. (2007)
The first time I heard The Longue Durée was driving back from the Holy Roman Empire's record release party. I … Read more
Child Abuse
Child Abuse
Lovepump United (2007)
Sometimes when a reviewer receives an album, it can be difficult to decide how best to approach the review. The … Read more
Mehkago N.T.
Mehkago N.T.
S.O.Y./Abort the World/To Live A Lie (2007)
Heavy music is back on the upswing in South Florida. Torche, forging on where Floor left off, has been making … Read more
