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The Post-Rock Thread

post #1 of 73
Thread Starter 
What The Fuck Is Post Rock?


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post_rock

Post Rock is a musical movement which uses traditional rock instruments to create untraditional and unorthodox compositions and harmonies. Post Rock is generally instrumental based but can vary in style from near symphonic compositions to faster, pacier, punchier compositions. Generally Post Rock is about making tapestries of sound.

Currently I've got Do Make Say Think's latest going pretty much everyday. It feels a little a safe compared to their older music but it is still pretty great stuff. I've also been ritualistically listening to Godspeed You Black Emperor's 'Providence' on my way into work recently, nothing like a classic bit of the apocalypse before you start the day.
post #2 of 73
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spike Marshall
I've also been ritualistically listening to Godspeed You Black Emperor's 'Providence' on my way into work recently, nothing like a classic bit of the apocalypse before you start the day.
That's funny. I'm listening to Yanqui U.X.O right now. Good stuff.
I don't know if it fits the category (after looking at the Wiki page, I guess it does), but I love Mogwai, especially Mogwai Fear Satan. Seeing them live is an experience like no other.
post #3 of 73
Thread Starter 
I think Mogwai pretty much started the entire Post Rock movement to be honest, their unique sound really kickstarted the more instrumental movement which would become what we class as Post Rock now.

And yeah, Mogwai are greatness.

What do you think of a Silver Mt. Zion? I remember seeing them live and being completely blown away, it really put a new spin on their sound. Before seeing them live I viewed them as a compact, more emotional, offshoot of Godspeed. Trading in the usual furious apocalypse in a more civilised way, but seeing them live it gave more hope to the songs.

Their songs seem more like a small band of people playing their favourite songs as the world burns around them, one last party on a deserted hill before the earth explodes.
post #4 of 73
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spike Marshall
What do you think of a Silver Mt. Zion?
I have not listened to them, but now I will have to search them out.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Spike Marshall
Their songs seem more like a small band of people playing their favourite songs as the world burns around them, one last party on a deserted hill before the earth explodes.
Whoa. You just blew my mind.

Seriously though, back in college I used to think I couldn't really appreciate this music unless I was on lots of drugs, but now I find it to be wonderful music to have on in the background at work or when I'm reading a book. The best part is when I stop reading and lose myself in the music for a few minutes without even realizing it.
Then my wife come in and tells me to turn the damn stereo down.
post #5 of 73
Thread Starter 
It certainly is great music to write and think to, the nature of post-rock tends to create an ocean of noise effect and it really gets the mind working in interesting ways. Some of my most creative moments have been whilst listening to Explosions in the Sky, Mum or Do Make Say Think.
post #6 of 73
A continuation of that Sigur Ros thread, I like it.

Speaking of which, Sigur Ros, mad props to anyone who just decides to up and make a language to fill in the empty verses to their songs. I had no idea it was a guy doing that, either.

Ever hear Saxon Shore? They're a...Scottish post-rock band in line with EitS, a little less on the explosion and way more on the sky, I guess would be the best way to describe them.

Edit: I have a writing mix on my iTunes that consists of nothing but Explosions in the Sky, Godspeed You Black Emperor, Mogwai, Sigur Ros, Saxon Shore, Red Sparowes and strangely, the works of John Williams. Not post-rock, but damn if you can't write to it!
post #7 of 73
Thread Starter 
Ah Red Sparrowes, there was a point in my life where I did nothing but listen to 'At The Soundless Dawn'. Even their track titles would inspire me a little, how can you not love a band who name a song

'Mechanical Sounds Cascaded Though the City Walls and Everyone Reveled in Their Ignorance'.

Speaking of needlessly long names does anyone listen to the work of Venetian Snares? His work is more Aphex Twin than anything else, but his last album certainly had some post rock licks 'Hajnal' in particular.
post #8 of 73
Does M83 count? Before the Dawn Heals Us is an amazingly powerful disc, and one I often find myself wanting to stop what I'm doing to listen all the way through.

I've taken the "long way" on many drives for this reason.

Also, second (third? fourth?) the love for Sigur Ros. Incredible stuff.
post #9 of 73
Will do. I've expanded my musical (well, my post rock) horizons exponentially because of the threads on here.

And the Sparowes put on one hell of a show. Caught em a couple months back here in the city.

And while I'm not sure that they're big into people shilling for them, my friend is drummer in a sort of gothic post-rock band named 'Echoes and Shadows'. They're like a moody, dark and eerie Sparowes, with some killer drumwork. Check em out on MySpace if you got a moment!
post #10 of 73
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cogs of Fate
Does M83 count? Before the Dawn Heals Us is an amazingly powerful disc, and one I often find myself wanting to stop what I'm doing to listen all the way through.

I've taken the "long way" on many drives for this reason.

Also, second (third? fourth?) the love for Sigur Ros. Incredible stuff.
Teen Angst is an incredible, incredible, song. It's fantastic to listen as the sun comes up after a long party.

Going back to a Silver Mt. Zion if anyone was going to hunt some of their stuff down their quintessential tracks in my opinion are '13 Angels Standin' Guard round the side of my bed' 'Sit In The Middle of Three Galloping Dogs' and 'Sisters! Brothers! Small Boats Of Fire Are Falling From The Sky'

I would have loved to have seen Red Sparrowes live, but I passed up the opportunity for some bizarre reason. Seeing Battles and Do Make Say Think nearly made up for it.

Speaking of which is Battles Post Rock, their EP certainly fits the bill but Mirrored feels a lot more traditional than their previous work.
post #11 of 73
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spike Marshall
I think Mogwai pretty much started the entire Post Rock movement to be honest, their unique sound really kickstarted the more instrumental movement which would become what we class as Post Rock now.
Um. Rodan? Slint? Squirrel Bait? How about a big chunk of the Touch and Go and Quarterstick roster? Tortoise had stuff out a couple years before Mogwai.
post #12 of 73
Thread Starter 
Sorry Russ, that was me trying to sound like more of an expert than I really am. I had heard of Tortoise (I always thought they were contemporaries of Mogwai) but I'll have to check out Rodan and the others you mentioned.
post #13 of 73
Can we say Mogwai popularized Post-Rock, then? I certainly first heard about it via them, as did most people I know.
post #14 of 73
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by I poke badgers with spoons in the Sigur Ros thread
To those of you who liked Pelican, see if you can find some stuff by a band called North. Their latest called "Ruins" will melt your face. J/K It's fantastic though. Bossk is another (slow and) heavy band that I'm sure you'll probably like.
This man speaks the truth by the way, Ruins is really, really, quite fantastic. A little heavier than what I'm used to but the soundscapes they create are unreal at times, it actually sounds like a toned early Black Sabbath at times mixed with the more progressive elements of modern post rock.
post #15 of 73
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cogs of Fate
Can we say Mogwai popularized Post-Rock, then? I certainly first heard about it via them, as did most people I know.
No, not really. Ha!

Since Slint's Spiderland was already considered canonical by the time Mogwai released anything at all, I think they have to take that flag.

It's easier to see Mogwai as more important if you got into this stuff within the last five years, since they're not only still together, they do soundtracks and shit. But during the first post-rock blast of the mid-90s Slint was definitely the gateway, followed by Tortoise and probably Shellac.

A couple other worthy entries are Faraquet (not instrumental) and Turing Machine (instrumental).
post #16 of 73
Thread Starter 
I must admit, my Post Rock knowledge only really extends back to Godspeed You Black Emperor. It's fantastic having Russ posting though as hearing the old wave of Post Rock should be quite illuminating. It's also good for ones ego to get schooled every now and then.
post #17 of 73
One band I would REALLY encourage people to investigate is The For Carnation. They might be the least prolific band on the planet, with an output that stretches to an amazing 17 songs from 1995 to 2001 or so.

(Depending upon the record, TFC is sort of a Slint / Tortoise supergroup, but it doesn't really sound like either band, which adds to the attraction. They can be very quiet and odd and creepy, but with an intimate knowledge of dynamics and songcraft.)

Their first two EPs have just been reissued on one disc as Promised Works, and their self-titled 'full length' is still in print. The latter disc is flat-out wonderful and completely overlooked. The song 'Salo' has the lyric that always creeps me out: "She kicks / but they hold her legs".
post #18 of 73
Thread Starter 
Will do Fischer.

Has anyone heard Westworld by Valley of the Giants? It's a conglomoration of different artists from bands like Broken Social Scene/Godspeed making a post-rock album with the film Westworld as its theme. I ordered it a few weeks back and I'm quite anxious for it to arrive.

I also have to plead with people to give the Bell Orchestre a listen, just a beautiful, beautiful, instrumental band from Canada (with two members of the Arcade Fire working with them).
post #19 of 73
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spike Marshall
Has anyone heard Westworld by Valley of the Giants?
I have it, and from what I've heard it's pretty good. But I got it during a massive influx of new music, and haven't yet given it due time. Maybe I'll put it on the ipod when I get home.
post #20 of 73
Christ, the list keeps getting longer and longer.

Oh, by the way Spike, Do Make Say Think = good stuff, just got 'You, You're A History of Rust'. Cool stuff.

Another band worth checking out, especially for their mope-iness is Neverending White Lights, they churn out some decent content. Good vocals.
post #21 of 73
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doc Happenin
Christ, the list keeps getting longer and longer.

Oh, by the way Spike, Do Make Say Think = good stuff, just got 'You, You're A History of Rust'. Cool stuff.
They're usually far poppier than most Post Rock bands, their songs tend to be shorter and snappier than most other bands but they pack a whole lot of sound into those four or five moments, and when they go epic...they really go epic, a great example being the song Frederica.
post #22 of 73
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doc Happenin
Oh, by the way Spike, Do Make Say Think = good stuff, just got 'You, You're A History of Rust'. Cool stuff.
Just got this and really need to listen to it more. I'll admit I'm interested more for the additional vocal work from Akron/Family, who've been an obsession for the past year. They're not post-rock so much (more like post-folk) but their split with Angels of Light is fucking amazing. (As is the upcoming Angels of Light disc, 'We Are Him'.)
post #23 of 73
Great way of explaining them. They are different, but hey, different can be good. And it is nice to come across decently lengthed songs once in a while, as much as I do enjoy the 10 minute opuses.
post #24 of 73
Thread Starter 
At the risk of doing an information overload might I add the UK group Yndi Halda to the list of bands which people should seek out. There sound is very much like that of GYBE, but there's a hopefulness and pounding anthemicness which makes the songs really, really, quite incredibly uplifting whilst keeping GYBE's screeching, overwhelming sound.

Dash and Blast is probably the song to seek out by them.
post #25 of 73
Spike, thanks for the validation.

Anyway, ok so THIS is the thread I've been looking for. I agree with many recs so far and echo the love for DMST. They are incredible and a fantastic live band. (added plus for those who like/need vocals in their music must check out Broken Social Scene, almost like DMST but shorter songs and uh, yeah with vocals)

Anyone who likes Sigur Ros may also get a kick out of a band called God Is An Astronaut. They have a more electronic-twinge to their sound, but similar ethereal vocal(ization). The song "Fragile" is a must-hear. However their stuff can get a bit same-y.

I was on a huge post-rock kick like 4 years ago after I found out there was more than just GY!BE, EITS and Mogwai. I've got tons of this stuff, and can link to samples via myspace and give recommendations and whatnot if anyone's interested.
post #26 of 73
Along with the recs for Mogwai, M83 and Sigur Ros, I'd like to mention This Will Destroy You. I think they qualify, and their album (Young Mountain) is pretty damn good.

And what about Explosions in the Sky?
post #27 of 73
Does TV on the Radio count? Is Post-Rock similar to Post-Punk at all? Because I'm pretty sure that Explosion in the Sky is post-punk (i.e. synthesizers, sound similar to a lot of new wave bands and/or Joy Division) even if it is all instrumentals.
post #28 of 73
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ali Mohamed
Because I'm pretty sure that Explosion in the Sky is post-punk (i.e. synthesizers, sound similar to a lot of new wave bands and/or Joy Division) even if it is all instrumentals.
No offense intended, but what EITS are you listening too? They do not use synthesizers, and sound nothing like Joy Division to my ears.

Again for those who like the heavier "rocking" bands, check out Russian Circles. Not quite as heavy on the down-tuned guitars as Pelican or North, but just as "heavy". Speaking of, anyone here like Isis?

EDIT-- and while not technically post-rock, but also sans vocals, Don Caballero is a band people in this thread should check out.
post #29 of 73
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doc Happenin
Oh, by the way Spike, Do Make Say Think = good stuff, just got 'You, You're A History of Rust'. Cool stuff.
I picked this up from my library on Friday.

I'm in a post-rock phase that has lasted for more than a year now. I have a playlist on my Ipod that I listen to when I go on walks. It's mostly instrumental stuff from non post-rock bands but there's a good amount of Mogwai, Godspeed, and Pelican on there.
post #30 of 73
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by I poke badgers with spoons

Again for those who like the heavier "rocking" bands, check out Russian Circles. Not quite as heavy on the down-tuned guitars as Pelican or North, but just as "heavy".
Enter by Russian Circles is one of my all time favourite songs, that bassline which kicks in at the 4 and a half minute mark is probably the fastest way to deafen yourself with a pair of ear buds, but damn is it worth it.

Interestingly Russian Circles tend to play with more punk rock bands than anything else, I've seen them in support a good few times and it's always been with either Hardcore Thrash groups.
post #31 of 73
Quote:
Originally Posted by I poke badgers with spoons
No offense intended, but what EITS are you listening too? They do not use synthesizers, and sound nothing like Joy Division to my ears.

Again for those who like the heavier "rocking" bands, check out Russian Circles. Not quite as heavy on the down-tuned guitars as Pelican or North, but just as "heavy". Speaking of, anyone here like Isis?

EDIT-- and while not technically post-rock, but also sans vocals, Don Caballero is a band people in this thread should check out.
Shit, you're right. I don't know what I was thinking. They only have guitars, drum, and bass. I think I might have been thinking of another band.
post #32 of 73
I heard half of the tunes off the Battle's latest album, and was unimpressed. (no big surprise, its taking alot to impress me this decade) I've heard their name mentioned alot online, and its the #3 rated album of the year on metacritic at the moment, but it didnt do anything for me. The reviews are saying things like "a genuine fuck you to the people claiming modern music has nowhere left to go." Uh, no, fuck you back. Go hype up the bands in this thread instead, they bloody deserve it more.
post #33 of 73
Thread Starter 
Battles are VERY divisive, even the people who like them seem to be odds at each other with why they like them.

I got the Valley of the Giants album and I think it's pretty fucking awesome as a standalone album. As the result of the collaboration between so many talented musicians it's a bit of a dissapointment, but on its own terms it's a great, great, piece of work. It's almost Morricone like at times and really gives you the feel of an old wild west ghost town.
post #34 of 73
Nice to see this thread. I'd say Tortoise was my first introduction to post-rock, but now they seem kind of soulless compared to bands like EITS and Do Make Say Think. As for the latter band, I think I prefer "Winter Hymn Country Hymn Secret Hymn" to their latest album. This one's still good, though.
post #35 of 73
Quote:
Originally Posted by cognizant
I heard half of the tunes off the Battle's latest album, and was unimpressed....Go hype up the bands in this thread instead, they bloody deserve it more.
I'll take a Battles live show over ANY band so far mentioned in this thread.

Having listened to the Valley of the Giants disc a couple times today, I'd have to recommend Grails as well. Their collected Black Tar Prophecies and Burning Off Impurities discs are similar in the use of spread out composition, violin and droning effects, but they're a little more rock. (They did a split with Red Sparowes, if that means anything.)

It's too bad that one of their best records, Interpretations, was issued only in absurdly limited form. It's an EP with three covers, one of The Byrds, one of Gong and one of the Flower Travelin' Band.

In fact, Satori, by The Flower Travelin' Band, is an old Japanese psych-rock record that lays a lot of post-rock groundwork and is very much work investigating. Five rhythmic, spacey tracks. A domestic reissue was out for a while, but may be out of print; if you ever see it around it's worth the money.
post #36 of 73
Somehow, I never realized that Radioactive Records, the label that put out Satori, was essentially a pirate operation. I always sorta wondered about that, since my Satori copy has so little information for a modern rerelease. They've been shut down, which is why that issue is out of print, and now I regret contributing to their coffers.

The Japanese edition of Satori, however, seems to be legit, and if so is worth the import cash.
post #37 of 73
The Battles are fantastic.
post #38 of 73
Quote:
Originally Posted by Patrick Ripoll
The Battles are fantastic.
...and even better live...

errr....what Russ said. Whoops.
post #39 of 73
Thread Starter 
The only thing I can remember from the Battles concert I saw was how impressive the drummer was.
post #40 of 73
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spike Marshall
The only thing I can remember from the Battles concert I saw was how impressive the drummer was.
I missed Battles when they came around, but I saw Helmet live when Stanier was with them, and he is, indeed, a force of nature. An incredibly heavy hitter with an impeccable sense of timing and the ability to stick to very rigid patterns. Yet, he's still intuitive enough to loosen up when the part calls for it.
post #41 of 73
i saw battles live a little while ago as well--fantastic concert--super high energy and musically impressive.
post #42 of 73
Just so this thread doesn't die quite yet, I thought i'd bump by recommending a couple more bands to those interested.

If you like your slow-build-to-cathartic-crescendo post-rock, then you should check out The Evpatoria Report. They only have 1 EP and a debut album AFAIK, but both are worth listening to. On their myspace only the second two tracks seem to be whole, but my favorite is the first, "Taijin Kyofusho"; that one destroys.

Also I don't think anyone has mentioned the japanese band Mono. They've been around for a while and have released ~4 albums. Fans of early Mogwai would definitely dig them; they really have that quiet-loud dynamic thing down pat. I personally like their second album best; check out "Halo,"Com (?)" "The Kidnapper Bell" and "Halcyon (Beautiful Days)" for a taste of their sound.

Has anyone else here heard (and loved) Lift to Experience?
post #43 of 73
Quote:
Originally Posted by I poke badgers with spoons
Speaking of, anyone here like Isis?
I got In The Absence Of Truth from my library a couple days ago and I really like it. 1000 Shards is my favorite track.

Quote:
Also I don't think anyone has mentioned the japanese band Mono. They've been around for a while and have released ~4 albums. Fans of early Mogwai would definitely dig them; they really have that quiet-loud dynamic thing down pat. I personally like their second album best; check out "Halo,"Com (?)" "The Kidnapper Bell" and "Halcyon (Beautiful Days)" for a taste of their sound.
They're amazing. There's a track on You Are There called Moonlight that's absolutely beautiful.
post #44 of 73
Quote:
Originally Posted by I poke badgers with spoons
Has anyone else here heard (and loved) Lift to Experience?
Heard 'em, but don't love 'em. A few of my friends were obsessed with them for a couple years, though. I have Texas-Jerusalem Crossroads, but haven't listened to it for years. I liked the general sound, but remember finding the songs kind of monotonous and the lyrics kind of silly.
post #45 of 73
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveB
Heard 'em, but don't love 'em. A few of my friends were obsessed with them for a couple years, though. I have Texas-Jerusalem Crossroads, but haven't listened to it for years. I liked the general sound, but remember finding the songs kind of monotonous and the lyrics kind of silly.
I can see your point about the lyrics, but it's a concept album through and through; and even though it all seems like a big joke (eg. the faux-No Limit Records cover) I can buy it.

As for monotonous, it definitely could have used a bit of trimming (probably no need for the double album), but I think the long outros/intros give it a nice flow. Anyway I really go for the lead singer's Jeff Buckley-lite vocals and damn that guitar! God Bless effects pedals. "Falling from Cloud 9" is just a damn good song any way you slice it. If you haven't heard their Peel session version (or the whole set) you're doing yourself a great disservice.

And Isis, I'm loving their latest album and also Panopticon. I tried listening to Oceanic when it came out, but at the time the vocals were really putting me off. I really should give it another shot.
post #46 of 73
Rodan was the first post rock band I heard and it changed my life. Slint is also really great along with The For Carnation. Also spawning from the remains of Rodan there is June of 44 and The Shipping News. All great bands and Fred Erskine from June of 44 used to be in a really great band called Hoover. Also Ian Williams from Battles was in Don Caballero and if you want to hear a great album by them get What Burns Never Returns. Also, people really need to check out Mice Parade though I don't know if I would consider them Post-Rock.

Oh, and I really hate Lift to Experience. Their singer/guitarist gives me tired head. He saw my old band play and then a couple weeks later I saw him at the Tortoise show and he said, "Hey, you still doing that Wyndham Earle(my old band) thing?" I said yes and he said, "Keep doing it!" I realize that it doesn't sound as bad typed out but he said it as if I got his stamp of approval to keep playing in that band.
post #47 of 73
Rene, sucks about your run-in with the guy. I was under the impression he cracked and went nuts and that's why they never had a follow-up. Either way, I'm a fan of the music, don't know the guys personally. Say, do you still have a band?

Oh and just thought I'd throw out another band for all you who like the heavier bands: a band called Jakob from NZ (or maybe Australia?), they've got a handle on that moody, atmospheric vibe I like with a metal-twinge. My only semi-complaint is that their songs tend to sound similar, but hey who cares when they sound great? They have 3 proper releases I know of; their latest Solace is very good. Hell they're all good.
post #48 of 73
Badgers, I am in a new band here in Austin, TX. now. We just started out doing some new stuff. We have 1 full song right now and it's up on MySpace. If you want to hear it go to www.myspace.com/formofanicewave If you want to hear my old band I think you can go to wyndhamearle.tripod.com There are a couple of songs on there. If you like them I can send you a CD with everything we have done or something, you can just e-mail me. Actually that goes for anyone here.
post #49 of 73
Ghastly City Sleep:
http://www.myspace.com/ghastlycitysleep

Very Relaxing stuff by ex-members of City of Caterpillar, who also kind of fit in here.

http://www.myspace.com/cityofcaterpillar
post #50 of 73
Hey Rene, I really liked that song from your new band, very chill. Right up my alley actually. So its just the two of you? Have you ever heard a band called El Ten Eleven? They're another duo post-rock group, very good stuff.

Also since I didn't think to do it before, here are a few links to some of the bands I mentioned myspaces: <--- now that be horrible grammar

Jakob:
http://www.myspace.com/jakobmusic

Evpatoria Report:
http://www.myspace.com/theevpatoriareport

North:
http://www.myspace.com/northistaken

Mono:
http://www.myspace.com/monojp

Russian Circles:
http://www.myspace.com/russiancircles

Bossk:
http://www.myspace.com/bossk

These are for the most part on the heavier side of the spectrum; I also have a few on the opposite end, my relax and unwind music. I'll post some later.
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