album of the week: 11.1

Do Make Say Think

Other Truths

Constellation (2009)

why you'll love it: Exciting instrumental songs

why you'll hate it: songs are very long, no lyrics

What a great album this is. Do Make Say Think is one of those bands where it does them a disservice to tag them with a genre, especially one as stubborn as post-rock. Earlier this year, we took at look at the latest Mono release. Great band - solid effort, but quite one dimensional. The only adjective I that springs to mind is "epic", which is a quite good one, but that's all. With only four songs, DMST explores far beyond the typical post-rock tropes.

The opening track, "Do", has a very stripped down almost typical indie-emo guitar foundation. It's a very refreshing format and uplifting emotion for the genre. Most bands of this genre make me feel small, but the appropriately titled "Do" makes me feel motivated. Unfortunately, there is a needless three minute feedback outro to the track, which is the only weak point of the entire album.

The next track, "Make" has a mysterious and catchy ~at sea fighting the waves~ feeling. It's a dark tune, but a captivating one, especially when the creepy chants make their presence felt. There isn't a typical build up here. The tension comes in, cascades a bit, lulls, then comes back even stronger. It's a brilliant composition.

"Say" (are we sensing a theme here?) is another adventurous tune. The main reprise is slightly Ennio Morricone inspired. Again, the track has a more determined and encouraging feeling to it, not a lost and lonely one.

"Think" is predictably a cool down for the album. It is quite groovy in its own subtle way though. Worth turning up loud to soak in all the lounge ambience.

I had already put Do Make Say Think on a higher level than other post-rock acts, and this album only justifies it. They've managed to capture the essence of what they truly are here. If you've never heard this band before, this is the perfect place to start.