Explosions in the Sky - First Breath After Coma

The genre of post rock has always been a curious one… It’s almost as if it implies that rock music has disappeared off of the face of the Earth. I always feel like I’ve missed some catastrophic event; as if I was in a coma the day the aliens came and informed every man and woman playing a guitar “Rock is over. Now, begin the next stage of your life!” Anyways.. Explosions in the Sky have often been labeled with the post rock moniker and it feels ill-fitting to me. For example, though they are not by any means a standard rock band, their guitar playing builds and intensifies throughout many of their songs as the very name of the band suggests. It’s not exactly rock music but it has its roots based in the genre. Perhaps, it just uses some of this and can take it farther. It would be fair to call the band experimental and instrumental. They are also incredibly creative in their use of musical frameworks that develop over the course of each song. Though it’s not a specific genre, I’d also call them experiential because it’s the sort of music that fills you up and, at its best, takes away the emptiness inside.

I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of a universal language. I’m not talking about something specific like English, French, or Italian, here, either. I’m talking about what I think instrumental bands like Explosions in the Sky have the ability to do, which is to bridge a gap between two people who can have a shared experience through music that doesn’t relate to specific lyrics. In some ways, though I’m particularly fond of so many bands that use lyrics well, it’s more of a challenge to find those commonalities between people and place then in a musical equation that can be experienced by both.

As jaded as I am about this country, and my “patriotism,” I felt like this would be the perfect day to post this. Turn off your “patriotic” music and give this a shot this year. Is there better music to watch explosions in the sky to, than well.. explosions in the sky?

Happy 4th Everybody.

Comments (View)

topherchris:

Team America: World Police - America, Fuck Yeah

I look forward to July 4th every year just so I can post this.

Here Here.

Comments (View)

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Summertime (Hybrid Mix)

It’s almost like tradition now that the summer season hasn’t officially started until somebody puts on “Summertime”. With this perfect homage to the time of year when kids have no homework worries, drop tops hit the streets and barbecue grills are flared up, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince bounced back from novelty pop/ rap duels with Freddy Kruger, Mike Tyson and parents who just didn’t understand. Spurred by Will Smith’s sudden popularity as the star of his own NBC sitcom, JJ & FP took a chance to re-infiltrate the music game after being knocked aside for hardcore rap’s increasing presence and won over everyone with “Summertime.”

Check out Hybrid’s take on it, you won’t hear this rare remix anywhere else.

Enjoy your barbecues tomorrow!

Comments (View)