This morning I got up really late, it was almost noon I think. It is a cloudy sunday, not really cold but not a day to gambol outside either. So I decided to stay in and enjoy some coffee and some music. The Merchants Of Air inbox showed me some interesting albums and my wife started writing a short story. From the list of new albums, I quickly selected Jakob because I wanted to know what the eight years hiatus has done to their sound and because I fancy a decent post-rock album over almost anything on days like this one. Three and a half hours later, I'm still listening to the album, facing an almost completely white Notepad on my laptop. Only the words 'Jakob' and 'Sines' are written so far. A third cup of coffee should do the trick, so I get up, fill the cup and look outside through the kitchen window. I watch the beautiful chesnut trees in my street and a slight
sadness overtakes me, knowing that these trees will soon disappear because some people want more parking spacesor something. The poor things are about to bloom as well.
Right, back to Jakob.
"Jakob is back", this must have been a sentence that has been enounced far and wide, in many corners of theworld. After all, in 2006 they took the world by storm with their classic album 'Solace' and an extended world tour. Jakob was ready to climb to the top of the post-rock scene and reside with Mogwai, Godspeed and Explosions. However, a while after the tour, the trio faced several setbacks. The members faced multiple injuries and underwent a number of surgeries. But the spirit and the love for their music never faded away, no matter how frustrating these setback were. The band got back together to work on new material. The result is 'Sines', an amazing record where post-rock, ambient and cinematic arrangements are perfectly interwoven.
Yep, Jakob is back and there's no stopping them now.
'Blind Them with Science' opens the album and it really is the perfect opener. Jakob slowly lures you in and they have absolutely no plans of letting you go once the album is finished. Layers of sonic landscapes and outstanding drums create an ashtonishing journey in great post-rock tradition. When Jakob decides on pushing the distortion pedal, the music becomes overwhelming. However, they don't push that one very often on Sines, which actually isn't bad. When used in moderation, distortion becomes an emphasis and a grand finale to the
music. Otherwise it starts overpowering the music to the point where it's just too much. Luckily, Jakob knows exactly how to use every sound available, making Sines a varied and highly enjoyable album.
'Emergent' takes things a bit slower and makes the whole a lot more orchestral, almost modern classical if it weren't for theguitars. In 'Magna Carta' the typical post-rock sound returns, supported by a deep, drone -like bass guitar. This track grows and quickly becomes one of my favourites on this album, but it's hard to select one. This is one of the heaviest tracks, that's for sure. 'Harmonia', starting out as a modern classical piece,quickly becomes a solid rock-show and fades out with beautiful violins. Well, at least they sound like violins. 'Resolve' is the longest track on this album, lasting about nine minutes. It actually combines all the elements in the other tracks. 'Darkness' is, as the title claims, the darkest track on the album, driven on soundscapes, minimal drums and piano. 'Sines' finishes the album gently and in style.
So yes, this is an amazing album by one of the most talented and hard working bands in the genre. I can't wait to see them live at this year's Dunk! Festival. Jakob excells in creating highly atmosphericmusic and combines it with sonic outbursts. A bit hesitant, maybe, but I can say this is their best output yet. Sines obviously is a highly recommended album for all post-rock fans. I'm glad I got this one in our inbox and I'm sure our household will enjoy this one for a long, long time...
Serge
sadness overtakes me, knowing that these trees will soon disappear because some people want more parking spacesor something. The poor things are about to bloom as well.
Right, back to Jakob.
"Jakob is back", this must have been a sentence that has been enounced far and wide, in many corners of theworld. After all, in 2006 they took the world by storm with their classic album 'Solace' and an extended world tour. Jakob was ready to climb to the top of the post-rock scene and reside with Mogwai, Godspeed and Explosions. However, a while after the tour, the trio faced several setbacks. The members faced multiple injuries and underwent a number of surgeries. But the spirit and the love for their music never faded away, no matter how frustrating these setback were. The band got back together to work on new material. The result is 'Sines', an amazing record where post-rock, ambient and cinematic arrangements are perfectly interwoven.
Yep, Jakob is back and there's no stopping them now.
'Blind Them with Science' opens the album and it really is the perfect opener. Jakob slowly lures you in and they have absolutely no plans of letting you go once the album is finished. Layers of sonic landscapes and outstanding drums create an ashtonishing journey in great post-rock tradition. When Jakob decides on pushing the distortion pedal, the music becomes overwhelming. However, they don't push that one very often on Sines, which actually isn't bad. When used in moderation, distortion becomes an emphasis and a grand finale to the
music. Otherwise it starts overpowering the music to the point where it's just too much. Luckily, Jakob knows exactly how to use every sound available, making Sines a varied and highly enjoyable album.
'Emergent' takes things a bit slower and makes the whole a lot more orchestral, almost modern classical if it weren't for theguitars. In 'Magna Carta' the typical post-rock sound returns, supported by a deep, drone -like bass guitar. This track grows and quickly becomes one of my favourites on this album, but it's hard to select one. This is one of the heaviest tracks, that's for sure. 'Harmonia', starting out as a modern classical piece,quickly becomes a solid rock-show and fades out with beautiful violins. Well, at least they sound like violins. 'Resolve' is the longest track on this album, lasting about nine minutes. It actually combines all the elements in the other tracks. 'Darkness' is, as the title claims, the darkest track on the album, driven on soundscapes, minimal drums and piano. 'Sines' finishes the album gently and in style.
So yes, this is an amazing album by one of the most talented and hard working bands in the genre. I can't wait to see them live at this year's Dunk! Festival. Jakob excells in creating highly atmosphericmusic and combines it with sonic outbursts. A bit hesitant, maybe, but I can say this is their best output yet. Sines obviously is a highly recommended album for all post-rock fans. I'm glad I got this one in our inbox and I'm sure our household will enjoy this one for a long, long time...
Serge