post rock
Wait, this album wasn't reviewed on Merchants Of Air yet? Then why does it sound so familiar? Those were my first thoughts when I started playing 'Intill' by Swedish post rockers Feed Me To The Waves. I could sweat I at least started writing about it, or not?
So I started checking the website. Nothing. I looked through my drafts. Nothing. Perhaps I was going mad. It felt like I had heard 'Patterns In Static' plenty of times before. Same for 'Within Reach'. But after much research and consideration, I realized that this really was the first time.
Then I started thinking: "is that a good thing or a bad thing". I mean, this album sounds like I've heard it before, so you might conclude that it has nothing new to add to the post rock scene. On the other hand, this is what makes a festival like Dunk so interesting: bands like Feed Me To The Waves, delivering excellent traditional post rock. That's where I discovered them and that's where this album takes me back. Eventually, I decided that 'Intill' was simply and excellent post rock album, written and performed by a seasoned band.
The aforementioned tracks are great examples of that conclusion. I like the jazziness of 'Patterns In Static', a bit like when Bohren Und Der Club Of Gore would try their hand on vintage post rock, so to speak. But there is much more than that to be found on 'Intill'. For instance the vivacious title track. Almost ten minutes of immersive post rock, coming at you with a somewhat grating sound between the dreamy passages. This is one of those songs that tell you: "Feed Me To The Waves" belongs to the list of classics, right in the footsteps of the Mogwais, Caspians and Explosions of this world.
I think it's a good thing that this album sounds so fresh yet so familiar. I can give this album to anyone who wants to get acquainted with post rock. It has all the right ingredients to be convincing. Atmosphere, compelling guitar work, strong rhythms... Everything. If that person does not like it, post rock will simply not be his type of music. It's that simple. The ten minutes of "Are You Having Trouble Breathing?" are enough to decide if one will become a fan of the genre or not. In my case, it's a definite win.
So, on the downside: 'Instill' will not change the direction of post rock. It's nothing you have not heard before. However. Neither was the second Explosions In Sky album, so let's not whine about that. Truth is, Feed Me To The Waves slowly perfect their trade, and with that they make the whole genre a bit stronger. 'Intill' is an instant classic, to be placed among all your favorites and to be enjoyed for many years to come. I love this album and I hope to see them again soon, somewhere on a stage, handing out amazing eargasms.
Serge
So I started checking the website. Nothing. I looked through my drafts. Nothing. Perhaps I was going mad. It felt like I had heard 'Patterns In Static' plenty of times before. Same for 'Within Reach'. But after much research and consideration, I realized that this really was the first time.
Then I started thinking: "is that a good thing or a bad thing". I mean, this album sounds like I've heard it before, so you might conclude that it has nothing new to add to the post rock scene. On the other hand, this is what makes a festival like Dunk so interesting: bands like Feed Me To The Waves, delivering excellent traditional post rock. That's where I discovered them and that's where this album takes me back. Eventually, I decided that 'Intill' was simply and excellent post rock album, written and performed by a seasoned band.
The aforementioned tracks are great examples of that conclusion. I like the jazziness of 'Patterns In Static', a bit like when Bohren Und Der Club Of Gore would try their hand on vintage post rock, so to speak. But there is much more than that to be found on 'Intill'. For instance the vivacious title track. Almost ten minutes of immersive post rock, coming at you with a somewhat grating sound between the dreamy passages. This is one of those songs that tell you: "Feed Me To The Waves" belongs to the list of classics, right in the footsteps of the Mogwais, Caspians and Explosions of this world.
I think it's a good thing that this album sounds so fresh yet so familiar. I can give this album to anyone who wants to get acquainted with post rock. It has all the right ingredients to be convincing. Atmosphere, compelling guitar work, strong rhythms... Everything. If that person does not like it, post rock will simply not be his type of music. It's that simple. The ten minutes of "Are You Having Trouble Breathing?" are enough to decide if one will become a fan of the genre or not. In my case, it's a definite win.
So, on the downside: 'Instill' will not change the direction of post rock. It's nothing you have not heard before. However. Neither was the second Explosions In Sky album, so let's not whine about that. Truth is, Feed Me To The Waves slowly perfect their trade, and with that they make the whole genre a bit stronger. 'Intill' is an instant classic, to be placed among all your favorites and to be enjoyed for many years to come. I love this album and I hope to see them again soon, somewhere on a stage, handing out amazing eargasms.
Serge
