Jakob
 

I was shocked to discover that I hadn't posted a thread on my favourite NZ band considering I've seen them live three times. Jakob is a three-piece post-rock band from Napier in NZ but don't let the genre tag put you off... they're definitely one of the more original bands floating amongst a sea of clones and they're finally getting the recognition they deserve as they tour internationally, supporting acts like Tool, ISIS, Damo Suzuki, Thrice and Pelican.

I highly recommend their 2006 album, Solace. I also recommend that you see them live if ever you have the chance... the average post-rock gig is a yawnfest (Mono included - I saw them this year) but Jakob always put on a fantastic show. I like their description on their site, so here it is:

"To listen to Jakob is to journey through the harsh, beautiful, isolated landscape of the Hawkes Bay, that is their home. Swelling but direct, beautiful and uplifting yet intense and hard, this is a band declaring victory over the forces of nature. Jeff Boyle (guitar), Maurice Beckett (bass) and Jason Johnson (drums) got together in 1998, to realise a musical vision they all shared. The result is nothing short of a beautiful contradiction; Uplifting yet dark and intense, both sonically massive and delicately complex. Jakob defy definition and while many influences come to mind theirs is a unique sound. A sonic landscape. With two albums, 'Subsets Of Sets' and 'Cale-Drew', under their belts, Jakob continue to explore new musical horizons."


And here are some songs to listen to at full blast ;)

Yeah, Solace is definitely one of those "where has this been my whole life" albums. I listen to it constantly. I can't put my finger on why they are so much more interesting than most post rock bands, but they are and I'm not gonna argue with that. It's always a depressing moment when Solace ends, because I always want it to keep going.

I can't put my finger on it either... it's like someone told them the ideals of post-rock without reading them the rulebook, so as not to shackle them to the typical cliches.

EDIT: Apparently they're working on a new album :)