As the end of 2009 approaches quickly, there are a few albums I've had to add to my top 10 list (well, the 9 on the list).
While I anticipated Brand New's Daisy to easily be one of the top 10 albums of the year, I'm still waiting for it to sink in with me. As of right now, it's hard for me to put it up there, but I'm still hoping after many listens that I'm able to truly appreciate this album.
Another album I recently fell in love with is Hospice by The Antlers. I had read multiple reviews which praise this album, though this is not the sole reason for me to add it to my list. Over the last week I've had this album on repeat, and I've discovered something new each listen - definitely one of the top 5 (as of today) of '09 in my opinion.
I was pleasantly surprised when Russian Circles released their third album late this year, and I have loved every moment of Geneva. There is no doubt that this release will be in my top 10, though it will be difficult deciding on where it ranks in my book.
A possible dark horse on my list of 2009 is from a local band - The Summer Pledge. The easiest way to describe their first full length album, You are you, would be to categorize them as instrumental/experimental/indie. The majority of the album is sans vocals, there are several songs which incorporate them - though they still remain second to the melodies created by the guitars and percussion. The ethereal voice coming in and out of the tracks gives the album a much different feel - one that reminded me of The Appleseed Cast's Sagarmatha.
http://www.gimmesound.com/thesummerpledge/
I had been anticipating a full length release from Minus the Bear - especially after being addicted to the single "Into the Mirror", though it appears this album will not be available until 2010. So for now, it seems that my list is starting to solidify, except for the even more difficult task of organizing and ranking these albums...whoa is me.
11.22.2009
11.07.2009
Russian Circles - Geneva
With the release of the
ir third album, Russian Circles continue to redefine the already ambiguous genre of 'post-rock'. Geneva is the most complete and well rounded album of the three (the others being Enter and Station).
The inclusion of strings give Geneva a much more mature sound than most of the typical post-rock albums. The entire genre of post-rock is built around the idea of creating tracks that are 10 minutes long, and are structured around the "build, build, explode" theme. Russian Circles has clearly made a movement away from the typical design nearly all post-rock groups utilize. In the first track "Fathom", we hear an unusual intro for a rock album - violins. It's only seconds later when we hear the masterful drumming of Dave Turncrantz, who really puts on a show in this album. From here we believe the track is on course - slowly climbing, making the listener believe there will be a climax at the end. But instead of allowing us to indulge and plummet over the edge after the journey up, the group backs off and the track fades as it entered - with lone violins.
While one could argue that the listener is left unsatisfied without having the typical peak point in the track, I believe it only solidifies the band's position as pioneers and true experimental musicians. It would be much easier to use the "cookie-cutter" format to apply to each track - and while the album would still be a success, it would not be artful or even experimental. However, the album is not without its parts of hard riffs and multiple loops we have come to love - but instead of being one dimensional, this album seems to touch upon multiple emotions, the sound is constantly changing without even being able to notice. This album could be the soundtrack for almost anyone's life - as it conjures up thoughts and emotions from one extreme to another.
Though most any post-rock album doesn't produce any singles, if there were to be one track pulled out from Geneva, it would be "Malko". The 4 and a half minute track opens with an addicting sound looping and gradually getting louder before the drums chime in, and sounds are added and taken away almost every other stanza. The sheer intricacies of Turncrantz's drumming are enough consider this track a mind-grenade, let alone the complexity of the track itself. However, as nearly every instrumental album, listening to only one track is hardly adequate. "Malko" is simply one of the high points in the album, perhaps this track symbolizes the "climax" we seek in every song, yet we are only given this "high" once in the album - and when we step back and look at the album at a whole, we see the real brilliance intended.
While I have always been a fan of Russian Circles, and got hooked on them back when I stumbled across Enter, I believe they have become the face for an entire genre of music. Though most people think of Mogwai, Pelican, and Godspeed...., as the poster child for post-rock, I believe this trio will be the ones that set the standard for years to come, and Geneva will be an album to look to. Whether or not you agree, I believe one of the most impressive aspects of this group is the fact that they have but 3 musicians (not counting the occasional appearances of the violins and other strings). Most post-rock bands are comprised of at least 5 members, but can get as large as 20 (GY!BE). The fact that 3 people are able to create as complete a sound as 20 is impressive enough, let alone the assertion that they're creating something better than the 20. Either way, Russian Circles are creating something worth listening to, I'd recommend you check it out.
9/10
ir third album, Russian Circles continue to redefine the already ambiguous genre of 'post-rock'. Geneva is the most complete and well rounded album of the three (the others being Enter and Station).The inclusion of strings give Geneva a much more mature sound than most of the typical post-rock albums. The entire genre of post-rock is built around the idea of creating tracks that are 10 minutes long, and are structured around the "build, build, explode" theme. Russian Circles has clearly made a movement away from the typical design nearly all post-rock groups utilize. In the first track "Fathom", we hear an unusual intro for a rock album - violins. It's only seconds later when we hear the masterful drumming of Dave Turncrantz, who really puts on a show in this album. From here we believe the track is on course - slowly climbing, making the listener believe there will be a climax at the end. But instead of allowing us to indulge and plummet over the edge after the journey up, the group backs off and the track fades as it entered - with lone violins.
While one could argue that the listener is left unsatisfied without having the typical peak point in the track, I believe it only solidifies the band's position as pioneers and true experimental musicians. It would be much easier to use the "cookie-cutter" format to apply to each track - and while the album would still be a success, it would not be artful or even experimental. However, the album is not without its parts of hard riffs and multiple loops we have come to love - but instead of being one dimensional, this album seems to touch upon multiple emotions, the sound is constantly changing without even being able to notice. This album could be the soundtrack for almost anyone's life - as it conjures up thoughts and emotions from one extreme to another.
Though most any post-rock album doesn't produce any singles, if there were to be one track pulled out from Geneva, it would be "Malko". The 4 and a half minute track opens with an addicting sound looping and gradually getting louder before the drums chime in, and sounds are added and taken away almost every other stanza. The sheer intricacies of Turncrantz's drumming are enough consider this track a mind-grenade, let alone the complexity of the track itself. However, as nearly every instrumental album, listening to only one track is hardly adequate. "Malko" is simply one of the high points in the album, perhaps this track symbolizes the "climax" we seek in every song, yet we are only given this "high" once in the album - and when we step back and look at the album at a whole, we see the real brilliance intended.
While I have always been a fan of Russian Circles, and got hooked on them back when I stumbled across Enter, I believe they have become the face for an entire genre of music. Though most people think of Mogwai, Pelican, and Godspeed...., as the poster child for post-rock, I believe this trio will be the ones that set the standard for years to come, and Geneva will be an album to look to. Whether or not you agree, I believe one of the most impressive aspects of this group is the fact that they have but 3 musicians (not counting the occasional appearances of the violins and other strings). Most post-rock bands are comprised of at least 5 members, but can get as large as 20 (GY!BE). The fact that 3 people are able to create as complete a sound as 20 is impressive enough, let alone the assertion that they're creating something better than the 20. Either way, Russian Circles are creating something worth listening to, I'd recommend you check it out.
9/10
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