Saturday, August 13, 2011: Explosions In The Sky - Last Known Surroundings

Explosions In The Sky is a post-rock band from Austin, Texas, and Last Known Surroundings is the first track off their 2011 album Take Care, Take Care, Take Care.

Those are the facts, and they are not in dispute.

What is up for grabs is pretty much everything else. Their sound has been defined as "Post Rock", described as "cinematic", and veering from "delicate soundscapes to all out guitar squalls."

I'm sure a dozen music critics would have thirteen different definitions of what each of those mean.

This is a band that not only bucks the convention of contemporary music, but it just completely ignores it.  Kind of like that table of nerds at Denny's at 3 in the morning too deep into their own discussion of where the splash page of Bane breaking Batman's spine would ultimately fit in comic book lore to notice the table of beautiful and slightly tipsy women eyeing them at the next table over.

EITS does only instrumental music. Unless you're into Jazz, I would guess the last all instrumental song you've probably heard was Jessica by The Allman Brothers.

Next, their songs are rarely under five minutes, most hovering anywhere between 7-9. Again, unless you're into Jazz, I would bet the last all instrumental song you've probably heard which was over 7 minutes long was Jessica by The Allman Brothers.

So, what is up for grabs, ultimately, is this question: Is their music cool? No question.

However, what I see as the problem with EITS is that one full minute after I listen to an EITS song, I couldn't hum you the melody even if you paid me one million dollars.  Now, obviously, there are far worse criticisms a band could be accused of.  But it does bring up one other thing that's up for grabs - will their music last?  I do hope so, I think most of what they produce is lush and gorgeous, even if it is mostly superficial gloss and texture.

So, do enjoy today's selection, and get to know more of this wonderful band.  Who  knows, maybe you'll have a better memory than mine.