Review Summary: Cinematic and thoroughly moving, Cale:Drew is a beautiful unknown gem that shouldn't be passed up by any post rock fanatics.
There’s something about Jakob’s music that puts them right up with the greats of post rock and that quality lays in their passion. They possess the vastness of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, the emotional weight of Sigur Ros and the subtlety of Hammock, but that certain something they have singles them out as one of the best post rock bands the listener will ever encounter. Right off the bat,
Cale:Drew gives off the vibe of struggle and determination whereas many other band’s of their kind rely on positivity. Though bleak certainly wouldn't be the right word to describe their style, the type of scope the band exhibits here often shies away from uplifting moods in favor of a unique style that often blends shoegazing walls of distortion with a much heavier delivery not typical for the genre. Therefore, this for the most part unknown gem of a band shouldn't go unnoticed by any post rock fanatics.
“Controle” is perhaps the perfect track to kick off this fantastic album because it really sets that mood with the vibe of determination, struggle and something larger than life. The atmospheric, echoing guitar work and subtle drumming rages on as the music quietly builds up to a moving crescendo by means of repetition. Very much like the style that Isis used for their music, the little nuisances keep getting tacked on up until the point where song takes off into a foray of distortion that is both emotional and satisfying. Whereas “Controle” exhibited more of an eerie mood, the succeeding track portrays a more positive delivery with more direct guitar work rather than subtle. Driven by intense walls of sound and undeniable emotional depth, “The Diffusion of Our Inherent Situation” and “Controle” will certainly rock the listener’s world.
Meanwhile, album highlights “Semaphore” and “Jimmy Hoffa” provide an even more compelling experience than the ones mentioned above surprisingly. “Seamphore” shows off how the band really delivers in terms of variety in their guitar work and overall musicianship whereas “Jimmy Hoffa” features a more cinematically driven style. The drumming is extremely epic in the mix and the guitar riffs given off a truly sinister vibe that can be compared to the eponymous person in question in the title. Be rest assured that it also rises to another memorable climax filled with intense distortion. Likewise, “Semapore” also gives the band a chance to showcase more of the intensity exhibited in “Jimmy Hoffa” while also throwing dynamic guitar riffs in the mix.
Whether it be the lush atmospheres of “Faye” and “I Was Hidden” or the truly epic buildup of “Laburnam,”
Cale:Drew exists as an album that only gets better as it goes on. Unfortunately, it doesn't end as strongly as one would anticipate with “Skew..Aard” really beating the distortion concept to oblivion. However, on the bright side it gives the listener a taste of what’s to come by foreshadowing the atmospheric riff in the opener of
Solace. Aside from the album not ending on a stronger note, this concept of foreshadowing really leaves the listener wanting more in the best way possible and
Solace is an album that nearly perfects the excellent work shown here. Therefore,
Cale:Drew proves to be an epic post rock work that shouldn't be overlooked. It’s cinematic to a fault and thoroughly moving for nearly the whole thing. Throw this one, let it in and allow its strong undertones of determination to engulf the senses until the very end.
