Search - Tone :: Solidarity

Shimmering western/surfer/whatever post-rock...

A Pilgrim | San Jose, Ca United States | 06/05/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a band that reminds me a great deal of Explosions in the Sky, some their tracks even evoke images of a scorched Texan landscape, nevertheless, both bands still sound very different.



This is a band that, to a limited degree, follows the quiet/loud climatic formula bands like EITS or Mogwai practice, but it never sounds cliche or tired. In some ways Solidarity also reminds me of the aural landscapes that the Friends of Dean Martinez have composed, which are more interested in exploration and a western/retro atmosphere. This especially the case when Tone bring the high reverb guitar effects in force, which best heard in tracks like "Texas" and "Sketch."



Their wonderful opening track "Confidence and progress" which begins with an atonal, sinister and simply plucked guitar melody. Instead of taking five or ten minutes to build up a climax, an army of guitars and drums kick in at the one minute mark envelope, strengthen, and develop that sinister yet strangely beautiful atonal melody. At another minute and a half melody carries on, but becomes more quiet, slowly building up to another climax; kind of like valley/peak/valley/peak.



This valley/peak/valley/peak/ad infintium schema tends recur throughout the album, which is actually interesting since many post-rock bands usually adhere to one valley and one peak and thats it. Tone seems to like the process of not only building climatic scenarios, but also like to emphasize various elements of a song though the repetition and development of a melody.



Thankfully, Tone is not always that predictable, so these melodic developments can change course in direction you might not have anticipated. For example, in their song "The Unwilling," the last portion of this twelve minute whopper turns into high reverb western love fest, complete with a marching drum beat, which again, reminds me of EITS.



Their shortest song "Sketch," is belted out in way that reminds me of old school surfer rock in clipped, frenzied, and thunderous manner.



Moonpony is easily my favorite song on this album. They begin with what sounds like muted guitar strings or some type of clappity percussive device, and then go straight into a wicked sludgy high reverb melody that be awesome to listen to while surfing through barrel of some tropical ocean wave.



Whether Tone may beat old post-rock favorites like Explosions in the Sky or Mogwai is besides the point. While Tone may sound similar, they certainly have a sophisticated understanding of aesthetics (i.e. beauty); and their less than predictable western/surfer approach to a genre that is quickly becoming worn out is appreciated. These musicians deserve a healthy dose of respect, do them a favor and check out this album."