The Evpatoria Report - Maar

Despite being over saturated with monotonous bands and ideas post-rock always manages to ride onwards to the future and not really losing its initial appeal. A lot of people are still into it which hints to the fact that it won't go away for a while nor it will go away quietly. The trouble now is that it's hard to stumble upon some more inventive bands. Sure a lot of them use new gimmicks like adding new instruments into play (violins or cellos usually evoke a lot of reaction, but bands who use them seem to overuse it a bit; don't you think?) but that's just cooking pasta with a different sauce. At least I look at it that way (mainly because I'm a big fan of pasta).

The reason I like this band and this album is that they don't tend to just copy the formula. Admittedly they aren't exactly the next messiah of post rock but I believe they deserve much more praise than they get. Maar, which was released in 2008, offers us 4 relatively long instrumental compositions. Compositions that invoke a lot of dreamy sensations while I listen to them and all four of them sounding distinct. They warmly remind me of GY!BE in a good way. Although this feeling only captured me during the first track. With each track they try something new and different from the previous and from time to time certain parts are a bit overdrawn but the band seems to know when they had enough of it and they throw in something new into the song. Despite overly long tracks I didn't really find them boring. If anything, it's great reading music. Check it out if you're into post rock.

Download.

A Silver Mt. Zion - He Has Left Us Alone But Shafts Of Light Sometimes Grace The Corner Of Our Rooms

This could perhaps be the saddest album I had the opportunity to listen. I wouldn't really call this depressive. Maybe melancholic is a better word. Depression would be "utter darkness" while this album is graced by shafts of light here and there.

A Silver Mt. Zion (and many alterations to its name) was/is some kind of side project by several members of the Godspeed You! Black Emperor "collective" - as they like to call themselves. It's not very like their main band. The thing I enjoyed the most here is that there is much more focus on orchestral instruments with guitars only being here and there to fill in the gaps. It starts to build up to some sort of climax but then it just vanishes at the end of the third song. After the third song everything slows down and slowly goes away. Perfect timing.

It's an interesting take on post-rock. I don't usually like the term "experimental" but I'll just add it to the tags because I think they tried something different in post rock here. If you can call this post rock in the first place.

Highly recommended if you'd ask me.

Download.

Loro's - Dream(s)

Now that I have some insight as to what to post, here's some underrated post rock.

At first I wasn't too exited about this release. Gave it a whirl and I threw it somewhere deep down my hard drive. Then one "spring cleaning" day I came around it again and to my surprise I found this album (or EP, whatever) to be quite exhilarating.

Loro's (whatever that means) is a small band from South Korea and they have about 600 listeners on last.fm. Not that quite known but they did release their debut album recently called Pax. I didn't like Pax very much but this EP, as I mention before, is something just right up my alley. I'll be posting Pax probably in the future as I give it a more thorough listen.

It starts fairly easy and uplifting as most post rock albums begin. Judging by that you might go and say, like I did, "oh great, another guitar wanking fest". Verily I say onto you, thou is mistaken! It quickly grows in detail and texture. Sounds start to bend with piano and an acoustic guitar and it goes further and further. As this little EP goes for more and more time things become attached to it. Vocals, violin and so on, all kinds of crap. That's what I enjoy so much about it. There's a bit of everything that's good about post rock in here and it doesn't go enough long to bore you. It's what I like to call: balanced out music.

It's a nice little voyage that goes for about half an hour. Definitely check it out if you're into post rock and similar.

Download.

Ólafur Arnalds - Eulogy For Evolution

Recently Ólafur Arnalds released their/his new album this year I think so it made me remember his first album called Eulogy For Evolution. I posted his EP a while back and this one in comparison is a lot different from the EP. This was a let down for me at first but you get used to it. I didn't like it at first because the EP had an very interesting mixture of classical music, post rock and electronic ambiance while this one is a straight classical instruments + post rock arrangements album that a lot of people like but such albums often fall flat as very uninspiring and repetitive. A lot of albums might suffer from that but I don't think this one does. It has its charms.

It's a concept album about evolution so naturally the first track starts rather simple and with fewer instruments. As the album goes it gets more and more rich with sound and more energetic. Because of that for me it never grows old. Over time it became one of my favorite post rock albums and I spent my whole autumn of 2009 listening this album. So yeah, it's good. :D

Oh and I forgot to mention that most of the songs are just with classical instruments. Drums and guitar come in waaay later in the album.

Download.

Texas Pandaa - Days

Back to business after a while!

Well it's autumn and everything is kinda blurry so I'm listening to a lot of jazz and uh blurry music so here's something from the blurry department. Blurry as in dreamy and post rock~ish. There are vocals as well so it's not straight forward post rock but it's not actually that far from it either, there are a lot of instrumental sections. Sometimes it switches the pace so it doesn't get boring and repetitive very fast unlike some post-rock bands that I could mention (but I wont >:|).

In any case, if you like dreamy music you'll like this.

Tracklist:

1. Intro
   
2. Days
   
3. Blind
   
4. Old Times
   
5. Dry Me Up
   
6. Sway
   
7. Inside the Sad Cafe
   
8. And What Flows
   
9. No Recall
   
10. Blind (meow version)

Download.

Escape the Day - Ghostless

Escape the Day was a post-rock band from Berlin, Germany formed in 2003, which took influence from acoustic and ambient music. Its unreleased album “Ghostless” (2005) was put on hold due to the suicide of band member Christoph Florian Rehse (1979-2005). In 2005 Escape the Day has stopped its activity and is forever dedicated to the love and memory of Florian. Escape the Day’s work was described as “Great music for lonely walks, hangovers or just falling asleep.”

Well that's what last.fm says anyway. The album somehow got leaked and it surely is a lovely post rock experience. Nothing grand or genre defining but it's pretty and sad. Mostly sad. There's also singing and it fits in; surprisingly.

Tracklist:

01. Hallways
02. Ghostless
03. Days
04. The Hour Undone
05. If I Told You
06. Still
07. This Wave's Length
08. Last Words
Download.

Visit semi-official site for lyrics etc.

Boris - Flood

Speaking of great bands how could I not mention Boris? Well here it is, Flood, one of the most unique albums they did. I went through a lot of trouble getting this one. Since the label has a great policy of not shipping their albums to my country I had to order it through a store from my city. Apparently they ordered it as a selling item that they will sell in the shop. The conversation I had with the shop owner was, intriguing.

Me: Hi, I'd like to order a cd.
Owner: Sure, just tell me the name.
Me: Boris.
Owner: Uh? The bands name not yours.
Me: Yes, Boris.
Owner: Are you trying to make fun of me? Tell me the name of the band.
Me: ...Boris.
Owner: The Band is called Boris?
Me: Yes.
Owner: And where are they from? Russia?
Me: No, they are from Japan.
Owner: Rrrright. So this obscure band is from Japan and they call themselves Boris? After a Russian name?
Me: They named themselves after a song from Melvins and they are not obscure.
Owner: I worked here for 17 years and I never heard of this band.

And so on and on. XD I don't really get it. I had to do the same conversation each time I came there and asked if the album arrived and every time they gave me a strange look like I just ate their mothers. Finally after 3 months of waiting it came direct from Japan. :3 Looks like first press too which makes it extra cool.

In any case if you are a bit older follower of this blog you probably remember when I posted the whole Boris discography (it was complete when I posted it, now there are a few releases missing). So I assume pretty much everyone heard of Flood before. There's not much to say. It's their own version of post-rock music of sorts. It's not really pure post rock as in Explosions In The Sky and similar. It actually starts with an really dull (to me at least) intro of one riff repeating and repeating. I usually like this sort of thing but this one just isn't enjoyable to me. So after that it switches to pretty much relaxed and laid back post rock and afterwords a tsunami comes and kills everything. In any case, get this, you'll like it! >:| It's just one long track split into four parts so I won't write the tracklist.

 *will not be uploaded again

Song Of The Silent Land

Well here's something really nice. A compilation of unreleased material by a bunch of bands. :O This is the first compilation from Constellation to feature unreleased and rare tracks from the label roster. Originally produced to commemorate the Spring 2004 Constellation Roadshow Tour in Europe, this CD-only release includes contributions from every band on the roster up to 2004, ranging from recent recordings and remixes to early material that pre-dates the label’s existence. It also marks a return to earlier Constellation packaging, with textured cardstock paper and metallic foil printing (in two variations). Thirteen of the 14 tracks are previously unreleased.

There are all sorts of bands here and I could go explaining each song but seriously that would be pointless. I'll let you to explore this fantastic collaboration and let you discover new and great bands without me spoiling the fun of surprise. :O

Tracklist:

1.	Elizabeth Anka Vajagic	The Sky Lay Still (6:22)
2.	Do Make Say Think	Winter Hymn Winter Hymn Winter Hymn (4:54)
		Remix - Charles Spearin , Justin Small , Ohad Benchetrit
3.	Exhaust	Wool Fever Dub (3:05)
		Engineer - Alain Tremblay
4.	Hangedup	(Re)View From The Ground (4:30)
		Remix - Efrim Menuck , Eric Craven
5.	Black Ox Orkestar	Toyte Goyes In Shineln (3:44)
6.	Sackville	This Machine (4:57)
7.	A Silver Mt. Zion	Iron Bridge To Thunder Bay (8:12)
		Engineer - Efrim Menuck
8.	Sofa	String Of Lights (5:33)
		Engineer - Paul Drouin
9.	Polmo Polpo	Dreaming (...Again) (4:50)
10.	Re:	Slippage (3:25)
11.	Fly Pan Am	Tres Tres 'Avant' (5:10)
		Engineer - David Smith (2) , Jace Lasek Remix - Christof Migone , Tim Hecker
12.	1-Speed Bike	Fair Warning (5:03)
13.	Frankie Sparo	See My Film (3:57)
		Engineer - Efrim Menuck
14.	Godspeed You! Black Emperor*	Outro (7:33)

Being uploaded.

Miaou - Make These Things Alright

I always have a weak spot for post rock; that and cheeky cliche films from the 30s.

Miaou is a three piece post rock band from Japan. They formed around 1999 and have several albums under their belt. Make These Things Alright is most likely my favorite. It has that special atmosphere that I enjoy in post rock and that is the feeling of joy. It makes you feel good and happy. There's some electronic influences (mostly keyboards and such) as well on this album which don't seem to be present (if I remember right) on other albums so this one is a bit unique. Definetly check it out if you are a post-rock fan!

Tracklist:

01. Intro (5:14)
02. Future Pavilion (7:49)
03. A Bird In The Hand (8:33)
04. Silent Picture (7:20)
05. Tiger Note (6:21)
06. Dante (5:30)
07. On A Sunday (6:18)
08. When Will You Come Home? (4:27)
09. Lasa (9:32)
Download.

Mono - Under The Pipal Tree

Another great release by Tzadik. This time around it's my all time favorite post rock band, Mono. Now Mono are pretty much well known but this album seems a bit overlooked. While I do enjoy Mono a great deal I think they will stagnate very soon. I mean, there haven't been any progression in their sound except introducing classical instruments but it feels like they do the same thing on every album. Still, their records are very good and are definitely worth a dozen of listens.

Tracklist:

01. Karelia (Opus 2) (12:30)

02. The Kidnapper Bell (10:00)

03. Jackie Says (7:29)

04. Op Beach (5:45)

05. Holy (1:40)

06. Error #9 (12:32)

07. L'America (4:36)

08. Human Highway (9:05)

Download.

Yndi Halda - Enjoy Eternal Bliss

Yndi Halda are a post-rock band from Canterbury, United Kingdom. ‘Yndi Halda’ is Old Norse for “Enjoy Eternal Bliss”, also the name of their “self-titled” debut. The band’s music is characterized by expansive, cinematic pieces that have seen the group compared to modern classical and post rock - however, Yndi Halda’s work is usually considered more thematically optimistic or hopeful, and more song-based than artists of those genres. Quite good and enjoyable post-rock that I'm lately listening.

Tracklist:

01. Dash & Blast (16:48)
02. We Flood Empty Lakes (11:44)
03. A Song for Starlit Beaches (19:44)
04. Illuminate My Heart, My Darling! (21:54)

Download.

Spangle call Lilli line - Spangle call Lilli line

In keeping with Spangle call’s standard rock instrumentation, their style reaches well beyond downtempo, a relaxed and heavily electronic genre. While the band is often described as post-rock, their sound is more of a compromise between the two. Songs are not bound by verse-chorus convention, but drift lazily, guided by a light melody. The guitars and varied percussion together with numerous (and frequently spacey) electronic additions weave a sound that, while complex, flows very evenly. Otsubo Kana’s wispy vocals contribute an organic piece to the melody as well, while adding to the relaxed atmosphere.

In any case I believe this is more rock than post-rock but what the hell. Very enjoyable and relaxing album. I could not find a proper album cover so a band photo should suffice because it looks awesome. Also I'm not sure about the gender of the person to the right. :/

Tracklist:

01. normal star
02. irie
03. new crawl
04. under north sour
05. error slow
06. august (8)
07. (untitle)
08. u.f.

Download.

EF - Give Me Beauty... or give me death!

So I'm feeling a bit post rock~ish again. This is usually due to weather, I always listen to post-rock when it's extremely cloudy or extremely clear. :S

In any case. I'm sure I posted this band before. Well this is pretty much the same thing as so if you liked it go get this one as well! This was their first full length from 2006. It's a bit less polished from the newer one but I like this one as well. Sooo moody ahh

Tracklist:

01. Ett (4:02)
02. Hello Scotland (12:19)
03. Final Touch / Hidden Agenda (11:15)
04. He Came, He Stayed, He Fell (3:59)
05. Tomorrow My Friend... (14:05)
06. ...We'll Meet In The End (6:13)
07. Misinform The Uninformed (Bonus Track) (6:40)
Download.

The Calm Blue Sea - The Calm Blue Sea

The Calm Blue sea is an rather new-ish band among the sea of post-rock bands. It's, well, post rock. It has everything post-post rock bands need in terms of instruments and composition. It's lovely and beautiful yet it can sometimes be very dull. Decide for yourself.

Tracklist:

01. We Happy Few
02. Literal
03. The Rivers That Run Beneath This City
04. Now Those Ashes Are at the Bottom
05. After the Legions
06. This Will Never Happen Again

Download.

Middle 9 - Swing and Circle On The Fluyt

I don't know about you but I really like this cover. So minimalist yet so detailed and warm, I love it waaaaa.

Middle 9 is a band formed by the current four members in Osaka, Japan in 2003. Their first album that contains 9 tracks “SEA THAT HAS BECOME KNOWN” will be released on September 26, 2008. It has been about 2 and half years since the last mini album that contains 5 tracks, “Swing and Circle on the Fluyt” (April 26 2006 / CATUNE). Their style might seem to be moderate at first since the members play Vibraphone and ES-335. However, the stages actually have a reputation for a powerful groove and totally active performances that lift audiences at one burst. This instrumental band has not only the dynamism of live music but also high creativity for the sensitive sound as you can see in their works. Adding a trumpeter as a support member, their new album contains some party tunes which interweave funk and jazz. These tracks are built by their great sound sense and give a stylish mode to the first full album. The CD will be out on their private label “LYON”. The members themselves did artwork as well as recording and mixing on that self-direction label. The mastering engineer is SAEmastering / Roger Seibel who worked on TORTOISE, HIM, SUNRA and also the previous album of Middle 9.

Catchy and very laid back post rock. If you are into post-rock you should check this one out!

Tracklist:

1. Ionie (5:50)
2. Alula Living (2:12)
3. Dance Dance Dance (9:47)
4. Petit (7:19)
5. ROMA (6:23)

Download.

Mono & World's End Girlfriend - Palmless Prayer / Mass Murder Refrain

Ever tried to define beauty? Well if I would ever try to define it I would define it with this album. This, sound, is something so melancholic yet so wonderful that I wish it would never end. Sadly it does but the album is very long so I tend to replay it every now and then when I wish to hear sheer genius. I highly recommend this. Amazing mixture of post rock and classical music.

A collaboration between instrumental post-rock band Mono and fellow Tokyo native and modern electronic composer World’s End Girlfriend

In 2006 they released Palmless Prayer/Mass Murder Refrain, a five-part sojourn of neoclassical grace and luminescence that defies lazy categorization. As dark as the bottom of the ocean and nearly as otherworldly, “Palmless” finds Mono inhabiting a magical world previously only hinted at in their most orchestral compositions.

Forgoing their tendency to erupt into hellish bursts of speaker-destroying noise, Mono instead exhibits remarkable restraint, stretching song lengths past the 15-minute mark, turning subtle crescendos into earth-shaking events. This record is a miniature panoramic view of the sea on an eerily still day, the current swaying at an impossibly lazy pace, and the sound of a thousand tiny waves crashing all at once.

Tracklist:

01. Palmless Prayer / Mass Murder Refrain (1:14:08)

Get.

EF - I Am Responsible

EF is a five-piece band from Gothenburg, Sweden. It all started in May 2003, and soon they stood in a small basement and created quite heavy music. It didn’t take long for them to find that melodies, emotions and explosions were more interesting. During the first 3 years they recorded and released 4 CD-R demos and began playing in various locations around Sweden. In the summer of 2005 they were contacted by US label Raise The Red Flag. They decided to co-op, and a full length album was released during 2006. I Am Responsible is their 6 track EP released this year. The band has fully matured in their sound and it tastes delicious. It reminds me of that Doi album I posted ages ago. While this is supposed to be an EP it lasts for like an hour so it's definetly worth hearing. Besides the standard post-rocking riffs there are also trumpet instruments and various glitchy sounds and they all round up into one relaxing and great music for those bright sunny days.

Corrections: Its not ment to be a EP - its a full lenght album. And their debut wasn't released on or together with Raise the Red Flag...

Tracklist:

01. Soon (2:54)
02. Tvĺ (10:39)
03. Bear (15:47)
04. Thrills (6:49)
05. Appendix (7:01)
06. A Tailpiece (14:03)

Download.

Boris

Ah Boris. I have listened to a lot of bands (yay for internet) but Boris will always have a special part in my little wooden heart. Funny though, now that I finally did all this I have no idea what to write. I thought I should write some humongous text to go along with all of this but I don't really have anything constructive to say. So anyway, people who are beginning with this band will most likely ask themselves "Where to start?". Well that's a tricky question because Boris is an very diverse band they changed styles a lot of times. But here's my advice. If you are into drone then you should start off with Absolutego, then with Solomon volumes and then with Dronevil. If you are into sludge then you should start with Amplifier Worship. If you are into stoner metal/hard rock then start with all famous Pink album and Heavy Rocks. If you are into experimental and unusual then go with Soundtrack for film "Mabuta No Ura". That's little advice what I can give. Either way shall we start?

This is the full discography except the DVDs which I haven't found so if someone has them please share it with me. :D

DVDs are:

見殺し塔からずっと
Bootleg -Feedbacker-
Wizard's Convention
Heavy Metal Me

Chronologically sorted (according to metal archives):

Absolutego Full-length, 1996ž

Boris / Barebones Split album, 1996

Split w/ Tomsk Split album, 1997

Amplifier Worship Full-length, 1998

Keiji Haino with Boris - Black: Implication Flooding Live album, 1998

More Echoes, Touching Air Landscape - Split CD w/Choukoku No Niwa Split album, 1999

Flood Full-length, 2000

Heavy Rocks Full-length, 2002

Boris With Merzbow - Megatone Full-length, 2002

1970 EP, 2002

Boris / The Dudley Corporation Split album, 2003

Akuma No Uta Full-length, 2003

Boris At Last - Feedbacker Full-length, 2003

The Thing Which Solomon Overlooked Full-length, 2004

Boris With Merzbow - 04092001 Live album, 2005

Dronevil Full-length, 2005

A Bao a Qu Single, 2005

Sound Track from Film "Mabuta No Ura" Full-length, 2005

Boris Live Volume I: Live 96-98 Live album, 2005

Boris Live Volume II: drumless drone power ambient disc Live album, 2005

Boris Live Volume III: live 2001 two long songs Live album, 2005

Pink Full-length, 2005

Boris With Merzbow - Sun Baked Snow Cave Full-length, 2005

The Thing Which Solomon Overlooked 2 Full-length, 2006

The Thing Which Solomon Overlooked 3 Full-length, 2006

Dronevil -Final- Full-length, 2006
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Vein (hardcore) Full-length, 2006

Vein (drone) Full-length, 2006

Altar - Collaboration with Sunn O))) Full-length, 2006

Boris with Michio Kurihara "Rainbow" Full-length, 2006

Walrus & Groon EP, 2007

DOOMRIDERS vs. BORIS / Long Hair And Tights Live album, 2007
Part 1
Part 2

Damaged Split album, 2007
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

She's So Heavy Split album, 2007
Booklet.

Boris With Merzbow - Rock Dream Live album, 2007
Part 1
Part 2

Message~Floorshaker EP, 2008

Smile (Japanese ver) Full-length, 2008

Smile (American ver) Full-length, 2008

Statement Single, 2008


Personal favorites:

1. Sound Track from Film "Mabuta No Ura"
2. Flood
3. Boris with Michio Kurihara "Rainbow"
4. Akuma No Uta
5. The Thing Which Solomon Overlooked 3

Fang Island - Day Of The Great Leap

Watch the live video it's awesome. Fang Island is a self-proclaimed “Healing & Easy Listening / Visual” band from “Philayorkadence” in the United States of America. Made up of a guitarist from the band Daughters (Nicholas Andrew Sadler) and four others from the aforementioned town (Jason Bartell, Phil Cucuru, Peter Watts, and Chris Georges), Fang Island makes music that they describe as “everyone high-fiving everyone.” Very fun post-rock and also very lively and dynamic.

Fang Island - Day Of The Great Leap

1. Intro (2:07)
2. White Widow (2:33)
3. We Were Lions (2:19)
4. S.S. Fort Jams (3:26)
5. Meateater (2:46)
6. Vlad (2:09)
7. Tickle Mountain (4:29)
8. The Landing (3:42)

Download.

A Silver Mt. Zion - Pretty Little Lightning Paw

A Silver Mt. Zion is a post-rock band formed in 1999 by Godspeed You! Black Emperor musicians Efrim Menuck, Sophie Trudeau and Thierry Amar. According to an interview with VPRO Radio in The Netherlands, originally the project was for Efrim to learn how to score music, but the idea was soon abandoned as Efrim decided that he preferred music not to be defined by rules, preferring simply what sounds best. Despite this, he continued the project out of a desire to experiment with ideas that would not work within the context of Godspeed You! Black Emperor. The decision to record an album was partly inspired by the death of his dog Wanda, who had died while Godspeed You! Black Emperor was on tour. He wanted to record an album in her memory, but did not feel that he could effectively do this through Godspeed’s collective, consensus format.

Unlike Godspeed You! Black Emperor, A Silver Mt. Zion’s music often features vocals. The last few albums they have released contain no purely instrumental tracks. Efrim confessed that he was uncomfortable with this at first, feeling “foolish” and uncomfortable with the role of the singer in music generally. That is, he did not want to be the focus of the band’s music but rather wished to use vocals as a stylistic tool. Some fans were initially ambivalent about the use of vocals, but Efrim’s poetic lyrical style is now well respected among fans. Furthermore, A Silver Mt. Zion’s fanbase has expanded, and they are no longer seen merely as an offshoot of Godspeed You! Black Emperor but as a unique and separate entity.

Tracklist:

01. More Action! Less Tears! (5:20)
02. Microphones In The Trees (9:47)
03. Pretty Little Lightning Paw (10:01)
04. There's A River In The Valley Made Of Melting Snow (5:08)

Download.