Russian Circles - Geneva

With the release of their 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