Posts Tagged: the earth is not a cold dead place

2009 / 4 stars / reviews / the appleseed cast — No Comments
26
Mar 09

Sagarmatha (2009) by The Appleseed Cast

Sagarmatha by The Appleseed Cast

The Appleseed Cast
Sagarmatha
2009, The Militia Group
post-rock, indie
4½

If Peregrine was The Appleseed Cast’s epic concept album, Sagarmatha is their most aesthetically pleasing. While not as cohesive, there is a certain honesty and root-sy rock throughout Sagarmatha that lifts this album to the top of the post-rock heap. Over time, it seems the band has learned that the simplest beats are the most unique. They’ve returned to their roots in End of Ring Wars, softened their sound, and managed to create something new in the process. This will probably be the understated great album of their career and of this year’s releases.

“The Summer Before,” “South Facing Col,” “An Army of Fireflies.”
myspace, last.fm
Explosion in the Sky’s The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place, As Tall As Lions’s self-titled album

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2008 / 4 stars / reviews / years of rice and salt — No Comments
27
Feb 09

Service Bell EP (2008) by Years of Rice and Salt

Service Bell EP by Years of Rice and Salt

Years of Rice and Salt
Service Bell EP
2008, independent
post-rock, folk
4

Okay, so I won’t deny that I’ve been on a ‘post-rock’ craze recently. After hearing about five different bands/artists, I have to say that if you’re heard one you’ve pretty much heard them all. That assumption could be attributed to Years of Rice and Salt as well, except for one key factor: they’re far more folk than they are post-rock. Their Service Bell EP is supposed to be a story of a shipwreck in four songs, but it really sounded like a story about life with its poignant memories of the past and hopes for the future. That’s a bit flowery for something that’s pretty much lyric-less, but this EP stands out amongst the rest. Here’s another saying of mine: I can’t wait until they mature a little more. For once, I really mean it.

“(Rearranging) Deckchairs,” “Splendid Isolation.”
myspace, last.fm
Explosion In the Sky’s The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place>, Amy Macdonald’s This Is The Life

Disclosure: A free copy of this EP was obtained via the band’s last.fm page. Please see my review policy for more.

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2008 / 3 stars / driving on city sidewalks / reviews — No Comments
17
Feb 09

Where Angels Crowd to Listen EP (2008) by Driving on City Sidewalks

Where Angels Crowd to Listen EP by Driving On City Sidewalks

Driving on City Sidewalks
Where Angels Crowd to Listen EP
2008, Count Your Lucky Stars/Red Plane
indie, post-rock, alternative
3½

Somewhere stuck between post-rock, rock, and acoustic is where you’ll find Driving On City Sidewalks. Their debut EP Where Angels Crowd to Listen runs the gamut of all three genres yet manages to sound more peaceful than you’d expect. Each song is well-crafted but not unique enough to be memorable. In the midst of my first listen I quickly drew comparisons to Straylight Run. Explosions in the Sky, and Appleseed Cast.

Now, we all know that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but when it verges on plagiarism you’ve got issues. Honestly, I don’t blame the band itself for intentional copying because this EP proves how talented they are if they can be easily mistaken for their influences. In the meantime, I’ll wait for a full-length and some time to mature. And in the end, I’m confident I’ll be thankful I was here at the beginning.

“Where Angels Crowd to Listen,” “The Green is Coming,” “And Ever Since.”
myspace, last.fm
Explosion in the Sky’s The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place, Umbrellas’s Illuminare

Disclosure: A free copy of this EP was provided by Beartrap PR. Please see my review policy for more.

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