Post-Rock Thread (ambient, great song, favorite bands, album, fan)

[Blue]

Originally Posted by dac

Well Blue, I liked In a Safe Place better than Into the Blue Again, but I'll definitely have to check out the rest of their stuff, as it's quite good.

I also have "This is Your Captain Speaking," "Red Sparowes," and "This Will Destroy You" sitting untouched on my computer. Which of those would you recommend the most?

Ok, after much delay, I finally sat down with some music from these groups.

This is your Captain Speaking is similar to a more subdued Explosions in the Sky. It has a lot of similar elements in terms of the guitar led compositions, but it's got more, space at times, I suppose. I personally quite enjoyed it for what it was (the record was Eternal Return), but I could see why some wouldn't like it as much because it can be very minimalistic and not as engaging as other post-rock. That's not to say they don't have their climax points as well, they most certainly do, but I don't think it breaches to a level of "heaviness" like Explosions can at times (or at minimum, it's generally not quite as heavy as Explosions can be at times). The compositions are also quite lengthy, with only one track coming in under 9 minutes.

This Will Destroy You I think is generally a little more involving, and lush. They also make use piano at times, but generally the tracks are guitar based like Explosions in the Sky as well. It has a bit of a different feel then Explosions though, and I think is worth checking out for what it is. It's definitely a little heavier at times then This is Your Captain Speaking. The only album I've heard is Young Mountain, but I certainly enjoyed it. It has a lot of prototypical post-rock kind of bits in there, and can maybe seem a little generic at times, but I think they have a good, lush sound. Not to mean This is Your Captain Speaking isn't lush, it's just lush in a much more subdued way, if that makes any sense. The overall mood of Young Mountain is somewhat contemplative, while being up in some ways (it's certainly not a very "dark" record) and somewhat triumphant at times. It's overall very consonant as well.

Red Sparowes I still haven't heard much of, but from what I've heard, they can have their heavier moments, while having some really beautiful moments scattered between. They too seem to generally be guitar based compositions, but they somehow have their own flavour to add as well. They seem to have more dissonance then the other two groups, and generally seem to have more "dark" qualities in some of the tracks. There does seem to be a couple of nice, delicate moments thrown between it all, but I think it generally is a bit more heavy then it is soft.

I suppose it is all up to what you're looking for. I really thoroughly enjoyed the This is Your Captain Speaking record, and off the bat would recommend that, but it's ultimately up to your mood and what you're looking for. I liked the subdued nature of a lot of the This is Your Captain Speaking, but I'm a big fan of minimalism and consonance. I haven't connected with Red Sparowes as well yet, maybe in part due to their heavier sound at times, but I honestly haven't given them as much of a chance yet either. Perhaps This Will Destroy You is a good happy medium, it has it's more built up moments, while generally being fairly involving. Ultimately though, again, I'd say it just depends on mood.

[garbanzo]

i tried Red Sparrowes the other day. didn't really enjoy it either.

just got a bunch of A Silver Mount Zion, but i'm having a hard time with it. the samples i heard were great, lots of strings, very epic sounds. but the actual tracks are not quite like that...

but i'm enjoying the Tortoise and Hammock albums i just got

[Mojo]

This Is Your Captain Speaking have their moments. I have Storyboard and at times its really quite nicely melodic but I also thought it was quite lifeless and dull at times. I do need to give it another few listens though.

[Farfisa]

I've been getting into David Grubbs' stuff lately. He was a big part of the post-rock movement in the 90's but, he doesn't seem to get the credit he deserves.

[GravitySlips]

Grubbs is the man.

[Rage Against the Machine]

I might be seeing Caspian on Tuesday. The only thing keeping me from it is the fact that it's a school night and I won't be home until about 1-1:30.

[gotjuice]

Maybeshewill's album is incredible, I just got it tonight. Blew me away.

I also got Above The Earth, Below The Sky by If These Trees Could Talk and I highly, highly, highly recommend. To me it's like a perfect blend of EITS and a slightly heavier band like Russian Circles or Pelican. It's one of the best post-rock albums I've ever heard.

[Mojo]

Hmmm, well you certainly made it sound tempting. I might give it a go.

[gotjuice]

Ha, well, I hate when people oversell albums, so I apologize in advance if you aren't blown away. However, I would at least check it out.

[FaSho]

I can't be the only one that finds God Is An Astronaut really good can I?