By Justin Tam
Staff Writer
Explosions in the Sky, post-rock darlings since the universally-acclaimed third album, “The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place,” recently released their first effort since 2007.
The long-anticipated album “Take Care, Take Care, Take Care” borrows heavily from the band’s last effort, giving it a somewhat sterile sense of familiarity. However, this is partially offset by the simple and brilliant way the band conveys emotion and uplifting positivity on its new record.
For those unfamiliar, Explosions in the Sky is composed of four instrumentalists: guitarists Munaf Rayami and Mark Smith, bassist Michael James and drummer Chris Hrasky. Though without a vocalist, the band plays music that is both intensely elaborate and oftentimes cathartic in its simplicity.
The post-rock scene is laden with darker-themed works of artists such as Tortoise and This Will Destroy You. Explosions in the Sky sets itself apart, however, with its distinctly elevating and optimistic soundscapes, oftentimes cinematic in their invigorating bass, drum and guitar symphonies. They make the kind of music played in movies during scenes with the sun rising over the horizon and signaling a new beginning.
Although the band loathes to define itself as post-rock, Explosions in the Sky is a longtime staple of the genre, establishing a new era of post-rock with its 2000 debut, “How Strange, Innocence,” which is very likely the band’s most personal and vibrant record. Up until the release of “Take Care, Take Care, Take Care,” Explosions in the Sky had released five albums and the soundtrack to the 2004 movie, “Friday Night Lights.”
Explosions in the Sky’s music has been called formulaic and, at this stage in their career, ultimately stale and dull. However, on its latest album, the band shows how precisely it has honed its craft since what is arguably one of the best post-rock albums of the last decade, “The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place.”
“Take Care, Take Care, Take Care” is a short but familiar trot through the band’s work up until now, both stirring and stimulating in its rampant positivity. Not every element of the album is entirely typical, though, as is displayed on the uncharacteristically short third track of the album, “Trembling Hands.”
The song abstains from the slowly-building crescendo of most post-rock acts and instead dives head-first into what is easily the most climactic piece on the album. It features surprisingly hushed, wordless vocals and a palpable sense of immediacy in the guitar work.
Explosions in the Sky has been together for over a decade, and it shows. From the first track, “Last Known Surroundings,” to its last, “Let Me Back In,” the band establishes clean, crisp, melodious guitar-work combined with busy, pounding drums. They evoke perfect proportions of hope and melancholy as the songs build to their respective climaxes.
It may be true that Explosions in the Sky is beating a dead horse on their new album, that the band hasn’t really ever truly left its comfort zone, and that the band, eschewing vocals, can’t have too much personality with just two guitars, a bass and drums. But despite these odds, “Take Care, Take Care, Take Care” is an exemplary model of what post-rock can be: both exhilarating and inspiring in its sweet optimism.
Ultimately, it is not particularly novel or boundary-testing as far as post-rock goes. “Take Care, Take Care, Take Care” is a success and a treat and people can find a lot to enjoy on this album. “Take Care, Take Care, Take Care” is available on iTunes, vinyl and anywhere music is sold.
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