Review Summary: Explosions In The Sky's second full-length just shows what they are capable of, with stunning results.
Explosions In The Sky first made an impact on the music world when their labelmates, submitted their demo tape to Temporary Residence Limited, with a note that read "This totally f**king destroys.
With this album, Explosions In The Sky continue to do just that.
The opener, 'Greet Death', starts with near 50 seconds of gentle guitar strumming, until the distorted, rumbling guitars crash in with an impact like a thunderstorm, accompanied by pounding drums, with a hook that is only made more excellent by its simplicity. But then, after a tirade of pure crushing heaviness, the guitars fade, and a gentle, soothing, ambient period is ushered in, as if picking up the destruction caused by the first section. Washes of cymbal ebb and flow, and the pace gently begins to ease back in until, by the end, the guitars are back to their original power and fury, leaving you breathless - this is probably one of the high points of the record.
This is followed by 'Yasmin The Light'. It begins with a calm, melodic section akin to the excellent mid-section of 'Greet Death', when, with heart-stopping ferocity, the distorted guitars rip back in, with galloping, frenzied drums. However, just as suddenly as it began, the song then eases back into its beauteous, melodic groove, with a little more pace but just as much sensitivity.
'The Moon Is Down' is the centrepiece of the album, and a fine one at that. It twists and chimes its way through ten minutes of subtlety, leaving you sure that something awesome is going to happen.
This hunch is confirmed by "Have You Passed Through This Night?", a song which begins with soft, gingerly plucked guitars and bass, and whispered, pondering vocals that befit the musical backing. At the 3:10 mark, drums begin to come to the fore, with a steady, throbbing rhythmn, and then, the crunching guitars come in for a time, before disappearing. However, this is not the song's end. Far from it. What follows is one of the most awe-inspiring climaxes in music, beginning with the soft plucks of the intro before heading into a roaring, Metallica-esque march that is unforgettable.
'A Poor Man's Memory' begins as a soft, contemplative tune, but it ends with a ear-bleedingly powerful maelstrom.
The last song, With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept' is an expansive, epic memorandum that renders each facet of the album in minature - melody, subtlety, and ultimately, a thunderous thrash of guitar, bass, and drums.
This album is without a doubt a classic, and one which complements every collection. Its sheer scope and creativity is boundless - simply put, it is essential.
