Explosions in the Sky -
How Strange, Innocence
The Band
Christopher Hrasky - Percussion/Drums
Michael James - Bass
Mark Smith - Guitar
Manuf Rayani - Guitar
"Well-substantiated rumor has it that Explosions in the Sky got signed to Temporary Residence thanks to fellow Austin-dwellers American Analog Set, who submitted their self-recorded first album, How Strange, Innocence, with a note reading 'this totally fuc
king destroys,'" says Daniel Levin Becker of Dusted Reviews. Although it's production quality is less than refined, the substance of this album completely makes up for it. Explosions in the Sky combine the spooky sounds of Slint and the groovy tunes of Mogwai and put out a unique atmosphere that only they can create.
A Song for Our Fathers - 5:35
The album starts off with a groovy bassline and the sound of a helicopter rotor. Guitars come in and ring out a catchy melody. The percussion rolls along in a militristic-style march. The music rises and falls several times as the melodies shift back and forth. Eventually the music gets extremely quiet and then just explodes in the listeners ears. Distorted guitars, bass and percussion all come and fade away until the original bassline is left to follow suit.
5/5
Snow and Lights - 8:17
This next track commences with distant strumming int eh background which is soon lifted by another guitar and parcussion. This is my least favorite part on the album right here; the song just sort of drags along for 3 or 4 minutes as melodies shift back and forth. After a while, though, the distant guitar comes back and plays its original tune while the percussion chimes in with quick beats. It grows and grows and builds up so much tension. It feels as though its going to break out at any second, but it never does. This one ends rather anti-climactically.
3/5
Magic Hours - 8:29
One of my favorite tracks on the album. It begins with a catchy guitar melody that is expanded on with the other instruments. The melody changes and shifts a couple times before slowing the tempo down completely. After a minute or so, the tempo begin to increase as with the volume. New elements are added. A distorted guitar attacks the original melody and adds a whole new dimension to the song. The music finally climaxes with a frenzy of guitar and percussion that ends perfectly.
4.5/5
Look Into the Air - 5:30
This next track is one of the more mellow tracks. Its very subdued and has a nice groove to it. An initial melody is started and then expanded upon, just like in most of the other songs. This is one of their more Mogwai-ish tracks and I really like it. After a little while, the music begins to slow down and recede, when, as usual, the drums come in and the guitars distort and it grows and explodes in the end. Good stuff.
4/5
Glittering Blackness - 5:30
Glittering Blackness reminds me a lot of Snow and Lights but without the wintery feeling to it. Guitars begin to play a melancholy tune and in come the drums and bass. The themes change and get louder and softer. Eventually it reaches that recognizable feeling of anticlimactic-ness. Another Mogwai-ish track.
3/5
Time Stops - 9:55
This is another highlight of the album. Guitars introduce a melody that give's one the sense of flight. This continues for the first half of the song or so but is then replaced by a new theme. Guitars and percussion build and build until it finally reaches an enormous climax that was well-worth the wait.
5/5
Remember Me as a Time of the Day - 5:27
An echoing guitar tune introduces the final track on the album. This is soon accompanied by another guitar and continue to play. This is a very sad theme, indeed. However, once the percussion enters, the mood picks back up a little. The guitars become slightly more cheerful and carry the melody through and through. The melody changes a few times during this, creating several different moods. The ending doesn't contain doesn't explode, but it's also not anti-climactic. A great ending.
4/5
Explosions in the Sky's debut album was met with mixed reviews. Some saying that it imitated the current "Slint-style" post-rock. Others saw it and still see it as an innovative move towards new views in the realm of today's music scene.
Recommended? Hel
l yes. If you enjoy Explosions in the Sky's lastest two installments and wish to hear their early music then this is the obvious choice. Your curiosity shouldn't be met with disappointment.:thumb:
Recommended Tracks
A Song For Our Fathers
Magic Hours
Time Stops
I rate this album a
3/5
