Fridge

Fridge are one of those bands that helped shape my own musical journey while growing up. Releasing the, quite frankly, amazing 2001 album "Happiness" in my late teens certainly helped develop my taste for experiments between the rock and electronic worlds. I regard that record as highly as Radiohead's "Kid A" or Labradford's "Praizion". Each of those records have influenced me in some way or another throughout the years and are responsible for what I now consider some of my favourite music of all time.

But to the band themselves, they are probably better known in some circles, for their side-projects, than their ground-breaking main project. A 6 year hiatus has made sure of that. One member, Adem Ilhan, spent most of that time recording in the electronic/folk field, including the critically acclaimed "Homesongs", while Kieran Hebden is more famously recognised as Four Tet. If my memory serves me correctly, the remaining member, Sam Jeffers, took some time out to concentrate on his photography studies.

The good news, though, is Fridge will be returning with 5th album, "The Sun", through Temporary Residence in May/June. Thanks to Elastic Heart, who have the finger on the pulse, they have an mp3 available to download. From a personal viewpoint, this is a highly anticipated record and I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way.

So Fridge are due to return and by the sounds of this mp3 have significantly moved the goalposts again. Eschewing the cut-up guitar, piano and percussion experiments of "Happiness", "Eyelids" is a thundering slice of discordant instrumental rock, with some electronic production flourishes, courtesy of Hebden no doubt. It's more Fugazi than Funkstörung and a tad unexpected. But then Fridge have always been able to confound the critics and baffle their fans. By the time we catch up, they will be off on a completely different tangent.

Head over to Elastic Heart for that mp3

Explosions In The Sky : "All of a Sudden, I Miss Everyone" (Temporary Residence)

Explosions In The Sky need no introduction, the Texan quartet have set numerous standards with their previous albums. 2003's "The Earth Is Not a Cold Place" is considered by many, as a benchmark album of the post-rock genre. Since then, many have tried to match it, most have failed. In fact, I would go as far to say, that the thousands of acts who have aped EITS sound, have almost succeeded in cheapening its value.

However, it's 2007 and "All of a Sudden, I Miss Everyone" is out and EITS are not messing about. They are back to reclaim their throne, from the legions of poor man's post-rock bands, and they mean business. "The Birth and Death of the Day" heralds their return with a rattle of guitars, bass and drums within the first 30 seconds. It's a real statement of intent and after a couple of minutes of intense build-up this track explodes into a crushing, galloping rythmn, resembling the charge of a cavalry at the start of an ancient war. I will eat my hat, if this is not the set opener on their forthcoming tour. The glorious start and triumphant chorus of "The Birth and.." would be worth the admission price alone.

The good thing about "All of a Sudden..." is the Texan quartet haven't screwed with their sound too much. There are no "Kid A" style left turns here, asides from the slightly forced sounding piano washes on "So Long, Lonesome" and "What Do You Go Home To?". But we can forgive a band for experimenting, can't we?. Besides, give "What Do You Go Home To?" a few more listens, the melody will burrow itself into your head and it will catch you in the back of the throat.

The main problem here is the fact that the album has been leaked on the net for over 3 months now, enabling people to form their opinions and basing them on poor quality mp3's. Most have dismissed this album as a poor return from EITS. Upon hearing the stunning 13 minute "It's Natural To Be Afraid", complete with the trademaek intense build-up, followed by a volley of heavenly, cascading guitar interplay, I would have to disagree. It's a near flawless return, with some of the tracks having real potential to become crowd favourites. It is as if they have never been away.

My only (minor) gripe is that not one track stands out over the other. "The Earth Is Not..." had "Six Days At The Bottom of the Ocean" and as gorgeous as the likes of "Welcome, Ghosts" is here, it doesn't quite match the emotional impact of past glories. But, I have always maintained that Explosions take things to a different stratosphere ,let alone level, in a live setting. Listening to the monolithic "Catastrophe and the Cure", I can almost picture guitarist Munaf on stage with his legs apart, swaying hypnotically to the music.

Every single element that makes EITS so special is intact on "All of A Sudden..". The guitar interplay, the intensity, the swooning melodies, the militaristic percussion, it's all there. Explosions In The Sky are back and have reclaimed their throne. They are the Post-Rock Kings once again.

"Welcome, Ghosts" mp3 - Explosions In The Sky

Rating = 80%

Stream
Order
Hype Machine Mp3's
Alternative Review (1)
Alternative Review (2)

Explosions In The Sky To Release New Album

Rejoice!, the amazing Texas instrumental quartet, Explosions in The Sky, are set to release their follow up to 2003 "The Earth Is Not A Cold Place". "All Of A Sudden, I Miss Everyone" is due out in February 20th 2007 and the band will be taking their intense live show across the globe too. This is of particular interest to me, since I missed them the on the last two occasions for these reasons. Here is the tour info.

Here is the tracklisitng:

1. The Birth and Death of the Day
2. Welcome, Ghosts
3. It's Natural To Be Afraid
4. What Do You Go Home To?
5. Catastrophe And Cure
6. So Long, Lonesome

Update: Got this from a Spanish site, but it seems that there will be a bonus disc of remixes availible initailly with this album. You can hear reworkings of EITS tracks by the likes of Jesu, Adem, Four Tet and Eluvium, amongst others.