Instrumental legends still running the show
Explosions in the Sky are finally back, and they come bearing their first full-length album in almost four years. As should be expected, it is nothing short of another masterpiece from these Texas natives—a gorgeous collection of instrumental songs that reach emotional heights no vocalist could ever attain. Most importantly, All of a Sudden, I Miss Everyone remains loyal to the band’s typical sound while adding just enough variation to create a new and refreshing sonic experience that is just as impressive (if not more) than any of their previous work.
Beyond just the well apparent artistic vision of the band’s members, what really makes this new album shine is that it incorporates all of the best elements of their music into one coherent piece. Much like their previous album, The Earth is not a Cold Dead Place (2003), All of a Sudden contains a great deal of heart-warming, modestly crafted melodies to please the ear. Slow build-ups and mountainous crescendos still dominate, and the groovy snare-drumming is as powerful as ever. At the same time, the band adds a lot of darker imagery as well, reminiscent of 2001’s Those Who Tell the Truth. From the massive, droned-out distortion in the beginning of “The Birth and Death of Day” to the chilling piano keys of “It’s Natural to be Afraid,” the band mixes in subtle new feelings of isolation, fear, and even paranoia to their typically uplifting sound. With this carefully crafted blend, the band clearly breaks away from the straight-forward, one-sided nature of their previous efforts and takes on a much more complex composition that makes for a wonderfully enjoyable listen.
All of a Sudden, I Miss Everyone is undoubtedly a must-have for any instrumental fan, and even fans of contemporary music in general. Explosions in the Sky are arguably one of the greatest acts of their kind today, and All of a Sudden is a vivid testimony to that. After almost seven years of creating emotionally inspired instrumental rock music, Explosions in the Sky have surely proved that they are still on top of the world.
| Reviewer: Sean Butze Added: February 24th 2007 |
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