We Carry Our Fate In Plain Sight
We Carry Our Fate In Plain Sight
表演者: Things Falling Apart
发行时间: 2006
ISRC(中国): CNE044971300
专辑简介
It would be impossible to offer an accurate depiction of the tone and style of this album without mentioning the overwhelming and obvious debt the band owes to GY!BE. Unlike Godspeed, however, Things Falling Apart don’t waste too much time getting to the heart of the song. At 53 minutes, one can’t say that they rush their 7 songs on this release, but instead they manage to find a healthy balance between allowing their compositions to come to a fruitful and fulfilling conclusion without boring the listener (or requiring that the listener be inebriated). The violin is used perfectly, carrying the band and adding to their (mostly) unique identity, although it tends to exists in the background. I’m unsure if it was conscious production choice, but it works in context. The 2 or 3 (or more) guitar parts sometimes act as the driving force of the band, but justly share the spotlight with the violin, which often carries the melody over ambient guitars that manage not too sound very much like guitars, demonstrating the influence of shoegaze, while electronics and samples allude to the influence of artists like Aphex Twin.
The disc opens with "Sleep was the First to Abandon Me," which focuses swirling ambient noise and keys and builds over the first minute into slow guitar chord changes, with drums coming in a 1:30. At 2:16 the violin appears, and adds the main melody, which carries the song until its 8 plus minute conclusion. At 4:07, a descending bass-line comes in, and works well to foreshadow and build the coming climax, as well as transitioning to what is, in effect, a 4 minute outro. I question the abrupt and temporary change in bass tone, however, which comes in and startles the music, in a bad way. The funky electronic bass distortion works well enough with distorted guitar noise squeaking away in the background, but the bass effect drops off and the bass returns to clean in only 40 seconds. The climax and outro is otherwise well executed, and the album is off to a great start.
The fifth track, "La Lloronoa," changes the tone of the release, with much more ambience, a horn part, and no drums, functioning as a point of demarcation between the first half and second half of album. They begin to sound much more like Godspeed, but since Godspeed aren’t around anymore, and its well done, I don’t mind. Additionally, the band makes use of instruments and tones that keep their music from turning into the generic dreck which is churned out by 90% of ‘post-rock’ bands these days. This is noticeable on the last 2 tracks, particularly the 15-minute long album closer, "Crusher," which uses harmonica, lap steel, and a glockenspiel.
This 6-piece from the Chicago area originated as the guitar player’s solo endeavor, and although it quickly turned into full band project, Things Falling Apart have seemingly had some difficult retaining members, loosing two important members in recent months, including a violinist and guitar player. With any luck, they’ll bounce back stronger than ever with a solid, permanent line-up. This release makes me truly anticipate seeing them live. If you’re looking for an active band in the vein of GY!BE without blatantly coping them, check out these guys. Emotive, intense, creative, but still accessible, Things Falling Apart have created one of the better post-rock releases of the year.
曲目
01. Sleep was the First to Abandon Me
02. Odessa
03. Sad Little King of a Sad Little H
04. Asleep on the River Bed
05. La Llorona
06. ...as Hands and Feet Grow Tired
07. Crusher