Mogwai have tried to communicate tangible emotion via instrumental rock albums, but with minimum success. The Dirty Three (also a Bella Union act) succeed like no other band in vocalising with instruments. Explosions In The Sky is one of a few overseas acts (mostly Northern American) who are beginning to close in on the Dirty Three in their ability to communicate a whole range of emotions with instruments, and this album is an excellent example. The band (like D3) is at home in the live arena but the challenge always is to translate the sonic dynamism exhibited on stage to the shallow grooves of a CD. It took just one listen to confirm that if you want to hear what a live performance is like from this very special band, it’s here…

As the album title implies (to me anyway) that one is in for an emotional rollercoaster ride, and the opening track The Birth And Death Of The Day delivers just that in spades. It’s a mix of darkness and light, quiet and cathartic, introvert and extrovert, simple and complex… I could go on but suffice it to say that this track cannot fail to jerk one out of one’s seat, and particularly during the second half with thunderous bass lines and guitar thrashes. One track leads immediately into the next and in this sense it can be called a ‘concept’ album. Welcome Ghosts trickles in like a gently flowing stream that suddenly hits a vertical drop and rushes down momentarily. The drums provide the most devastating backdrop while guitars cover the dramatic bass in the most subtle way. I’m reminded of Jim White’s drumming with the Dirty Three on this track; a highly intuitive and unique drumming style. At this point I have to praise the production here courtesy of John Congleton (The Roots, The Mountain Goats), who has allowed the real essence of the band’s music and message shine through in no uncertain manner. It’s perhaps too easy to label this music ‘cinematic,’ rather it paints its own dramatic and emotional pictures without the need for vocals or visuals. Bland background music this is not, and perhaps the best way to describe it is as a contemporary rock symphony. There are just six tracks lasting up to 14 minutes, culminating in the piano-led and intensely beautiful So Long, Lonesome. This music is highly accessible, helped not least by immense melodies and a sonic clarity that almost defies description. I cannot wait to see this band perform live – it should be quite an experience.

4.5/5