Recently, I’ve really been getting into something called ‘Post Rock’ Um, what’s “Post Rock”? Wikipedia says:
Post-rock is a genre of alternative rock characterized by the use of musical instruments commonly associated with rock music, but using rhythms, harmonies, melodies, timbre, and chord progressions that are not usually found in rock tradition. It is the use of ‘rock instrumentation’ for non-rock purposes. Practitioners of the genre’s style typically produce instrumental music.
I’m not going to kid you, I don’t really understand that description. To be totally honest I don’t really know exactly what constitutes post rock and what doesn’t. In my experience, it’s rock music with an emphasis on instruments other than guitars and drums, with very little or no vocals. Maybe that’s accurate. Maybe it’s totally wrong and post rock scholars everywhere just spat tea all over their leather-bound computers.
Regardless, the artists I’ve found through searching the term are responsible for some totally awesome music. Really moving stuff. So I thought today I’d introduce an album that moved me, and still moves me every time I hear it.
This wasn’t the first post rock album I listened to, and it wasn’t the first one I enjoyed. But it is my favourite. Hymn to the Immortal Wind is the fifth album by MONO, an instrumental band who’ve been going since 1999. It’s a little over an hour long and only consists of seven tracks, yet it doesn’t plod along but constantly moves along through clever movements and passages.
What really makes the album is the harmony between the guitar line and the orchestra parts. Recorded with a 28 piece orchestra, the strings in particular take the music and push it from ‘amazing’ to ‘it feels like I’m soaring through the sky‘. It’s hard to get across what I mean by that, but I suppose ‘uplifting’ is a reasonable if boring term, and this stuff is anything but boring. The opener “Ashes in the Snow” goes from a calm, almost timid set of strings emerging from radio static into an all out battle of guitars and drums versus swooping orchestra. It sounds like it should be a noisy mess but it’s actually a single harmony, carved out of a wall of pure energy.
It’s truly incredible music. But there are tracks that don’t follow MONO’s wonderful formula. “Silent Flight, Sleeping Dawn” and especially “Follow The Map” are two incredibly calm tracks, beautiful pieces of moving music that serve both to entertain but also to act as interludes between epic pieces like ‘The Battle To Heaven’.
Something I was always advised as a child was “save the best for last” and it looks like MONO heard that one, too. The final track Everlasting Light is my favourite song on the album and probably the best song I’ve heard all year. It starts off as a set of strings and piano. It’s so simple. To be honest if the song ended at the 2:30 mark it would have been a wonderful piece of classical music, but it keeps going. The piano keeps winding it’s way over an ever growing chorus of strings. Then, all of a sudden, things start getting serious. The strings take a more scary, “something’s coming out of the woods!” turn…
…and then the guitar arrives, and all that calmness from the introduction is swept up and pushed along by this new roaring energy. Still the piano slides it’s way overhead, and together these wildly different musical elements build towards the crescendo. I know calling it ‘The Crescendo’ is a bit serious, but it deserves that title. Trust me.
I’m not going to tell you when it comes, as that would spoil it, but a solitary cymbal gives way to what I can only describe as a tidal wave of sound. One that keeps rolling and growing, as more and more is added to it, driving towards the final sixty seconds of the song I can only describe as musical perfection. The best moments in music I’ve heard in a hell of a long time. There’s no way a listener can’t be blown away. Imagine sitting in your living room expecting a rock song with a piano, but instead an 18 wheeler truck piles out of your stereo. Yeah, try ignoring that.
OK, so I admit I might have got a *tiny* bit carried away with this review. But these guys deserve all the hype. As I mentioned it’s hard to define them but ‘music you can’t ignore’ is probably pretty close. If you do ignore this review and never hear the band, you’re missing out. It’s like staying in bed when everyone else has ice-cream. This album is musical ice-cream.
The album is available in most regions on Spotify here, and if not you can always visit the MONO website. They’re touring the world at the moment. Don’t miss out!
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Excellent thanks a lot for this there great :D
Tibul: Thanks :) I might do another review of a band similar to Mono in the future. They’re called World’s End Girlfriend if you’re interested in looking them up now.
WEG s awesome. tho it is one man project, not a band
great rewiev
Bless yourself bleed: Have to say, WEG doesn’t really click with me in the same way MONO did. I have a long upcoming journey though, will probably give it a few more spins and end up loving it.
Hello, Mike, nice that you are introducing yourself in this genre. I’ve been a passionate of post-rock for months now. May I suggest you some recommendations?
I’ve seen in your last.fm you’ve tried Caspian. Well, they’re awsome but their best works are ‘you are the conductor’ (EP, and my favorite ^^) and ‘the four trees’, you might want to start with them better. Yndi halda are an awsome new band (for now they have just a release ‘enjoy eternal bliss’ (2005)) that are great and I think you’re gonna love. Sooner or later you will stop by Godspeed you! Black emperor, so I will skip talking about them. Instead, I will recommend you these guys, Sgt. i have recently discovered (they’re japanese, you might like that) and they make a very very nice post-rock. They have an ep and an album. In heavier terrains, you could find Gifts from enola and if these trees could talk interesting, and even maybeshewill. In different paths we find 65daysofstatic (one of my favorites) who introduces electronica in the mix and do it like anyone else. For short (for post-rock) but beautiful tracks, Saxon Shore’s last album (and the previous one too!) ‘It doesn’t matter’ is great, and The Samuel Jackson Five are also a nice listen.
And well, that’s a start, I hope you like this… Remember to visit (if you don’t know it already) this webzine: http://www.thesilentballet.com
It’s especialized on instrumental music.
Welcome to the Post-Rock world!
Adthey: THANK YOU for all the awesome suggestions! You have given me a load of stuff to listen to on Spotify! Will do reviews in the future. I’l check out the magazine too. Thanks! :)
Wow, really nice post! And useful comments too :)
This is my favourite album of 2009, no doubt. There are a number of exceptional post-rock bands out there, but non i have found that has the same power as MONO.
Mike, I enjoy some WEG tracks but like you I didn’t really click with the classical/electronic mix. Then I heard one of the most stunning album, ‘Kashiwa Daisuke – Program Music I’. Give this a go and if you are not floored, amazed, taken to another world, then there’s something wrong with you haha.
Other bands you need to check out:
‘Moonlit Sailor – A Footprint of Feelings’
They make shorter tracks but overflows with melodies that stirs the emotions. Love it.
‘Laura – Radio Swan Is Down’
Can be hard to swallow at first, as its quite sombre and ‘dark’ in places but very rewarding listen. ‘Every Light’ is absolutely incredible.
‘Gifts From Enola – From Fathoms’
A different type of Post Rock. It’s much heavier, don’t let that put you off because tracks like ‘Trieste’ must be heard.
‘p.g. Lost – It’s not me, It’s you’
Get the one with the bonus tracks, ‘Yes I am’ and ‘Kardusen’. Wonderful stuff.
‘Magyar Posse – Random Avenger’
This is quite different, and absolutely worth your while. Its got this mystery behind it, hard to explain but yea, listen to it.
‘The Pirate Ship Quintet – The Pirate Ship Quintet’ ep
Must have.
Take you time to enjoy each album. Listen to them one by one otherwise it can be overwhelming and you won’t enjoy them as much as you should.
Peace!
Will: Actually, WEG really didn’t engage me at all, but I’ll try your suggestion. Always welcome to try things again. Going to work my way down your suggestions, too :D
Will: Actually, WEG really didn’t engage me at all, but I’ll try your suggestion. Always welcome to try things again. Going to work my way down your suggestions, too :D
good review. thoughtful and well put. i dont normally comment but as a Canadian i have to add DO Make Say Think to the list of great post rock bands. it is essential. cheers!
i always listen to instrumental music whenever i want to relax.`.*