A nearly flawless entry that freshens the post rock/ambient
Kenny Roy | Peterborough, On, Canada | 08/10/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"4.5 Stars
Well, it has been a long wait since Eyes like Brontide and Lights Out Asia have finally answered my prayers by releasing an incredible yet different album into the sea-like postrock/ambient genre. How is this album different from their previous entries? Well first off it's a little darker in tone and feel. We are introduced to this new sound with "All these worlds are yours". It's a quiet track that features someone speaking in what sounds like english though the voice continues to be distorted throughout the track as very soft electronic melodies are played in the back ground, creating almost a dreamlike track.
Except Europa is a perfect example of the music on the record, and is one of their most beautiful tracks. Gorgeous ambient melodies over a droning electronic beat; this track hits the spot. Followed by two beautifully ambient tracks "attempt no landings there" and "All is quiet in the valley", this section of the album really allows you to relax. By this point the band has really incorporated a soft sound that i haven't heard in their previous records and that is hard to put into words. Maybe an organic electronica ambiance? Or as i have just now dubbed it "orgtronbiance".
13AM Is a change in sound and leans very much towards the post-rock side of this album. It has a very epic feel and can be very moving. Great standout track. The interlude "Arbres Paisible" leads us into another standout track "Great men from unhealthy ground" which takes us back to the aforementioned orgtronbiance sound i mentioned. Some gorgeously layered piano melodies and waves of soft sounds make this track a treat for the ears. Listening to it while driving was a fantastic experience for me.
Current meets the tide brings their soothing and introspective trademark vocals into the scene and it does it well. This tune is very catchy despite being very ambient without containing any real "hooks" save for some moving sections/lines. By this point you're wondering why i've given it 4.5 stars as i have been raving through my review of the albums unique qualities. "Then i hope you like the desert" is a track that does not really sit well with me. Discordant vocals create almost a dissonant sound with the instrumentals in the back ground and this track just didnt work in my eyes (Or ears).
Luckily the record bounces back with in my opinion one of their greatest tracks "Shifting Sands Wreck Ships". What an epic masterpiece of postrock/ambient brilliance. I hear so much chemistry between the vocals and instruments and the atmosphere of the track is gorgeous. Very moving! Reminds me alot of "Psiu! Puxa!" or "Radars over the Ghosts of Chernobyl".
Unfortunately again the album takes a sour turn and ends with a minimalist way-too-ambient of a closer, "Bye Bye November". This track and "Then i hope you like the desert" prevent this album from becoming a flawless entry by one of the greatest Ambient/post-rock bands i know of. I'm extremely pleased with this release and am interested to see what the world thinks about the record after having given my insight. Sit back, relax, listen and enjoy!"
