Do Make Say Think - You, You're A History In Rust

Do Make Say Think has been putting out quality instrumental post-rock for the last ten years and every release has been better than the one that preceded it. “You, You’re A History In Rust” carries on in that tradition, and is already one of my favourite albums of the year. The band started out as a project that formed specifically to do some soundtrack work but then moved on to be one of Toronto’s best kept secrets. Since then, a couple of the guys have played in a little collective known as Broken Social Scene and of course, now, all of a sudden, this CD has become a highly anticipated release. DMST have provided some more tightly played instrumental mood music, again throwing in elements of jazz and prog. The first song “Bound To Be That Way”, plays like a well choreographed chase scene, meandering through various highs and lows, beginning with subtle piano playing with flute and horn accompaniment, before some delicate guitar-picking comes in and the drums provide a jazzy backdrop to fully flesh out a song of epic proportions. “A With Living”, I believe is a first for the band, with vocals actually being the main focus of the song. Thankfully, the nest song “The Universe!" is a guitar driven explosion that blasts out of your speakers in a highly unexpected way, with the horns also adding a sharp burst of cacophony to the mix. “Herstory of Glory" is more of the atmospheric work that the band has become known for, with strong emphasis on Charles Spearin’s impeccable bass playing. The album ends with “In Mind” which is sort of an unexpected foray into lo-fi pop music, sort of Yo La Tengo-ish, but it works. For me, this album is a perfect companion piece to the Explosions In The Sky album that I reviewed a few weeks ago.

Do Make Say Think will be playing The Opera House on April 12 for $15.

Download:
The Universe! mp3
Purchase “You, You’re A History In Rust” at Amazon.ca

Explosions In The Sky - All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone

Explosions In The Sky are an instrumental band from Texas. Their latest release is entitled “All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone” and it’s equal parts energy and drama. This is their 5^th CD (6^th if you include the excellent soundtrack to “Friday Night Lights”) and the band continue to remain dynamic. I have several friends that simply have no patience for instrumental music, but I have always been very much the opposite. There is so much more room to breathe, expand and experiment in an instrumental song. “It’s Natural To Be Afraid” is an excellent example of this. The song takes you through so many highs and lows, with several chiming guitars and explosive drum parts that the song plays for me as a soundtrack to optimism. Even without lyrics, I find this release to be very positive in nature, alternating between iridescent piano moments (“What Do You Come Home To”) and cataclysmic heights (“Catastrophe And The Cure”) before the whole thing is summed up in “So Long, Lonesome,” an ambient spring of closure that caps off the album, providing the listener with more than just a decent listen, but an absolute experience.

Explosions In The Sky is at The Opera House on March 24^th but I believe the show is already sold out.

Download:
Welcome Ghosts mp3
Your Hand In Mine mp3 (from 2003’s “The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place”)

Explosions In The Sky unofficial myspace page
Purchase the CD, "All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone"