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| Explosions in the Sky - All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone | Explosions in the Sky - All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone
Released February 20th, 2007
Temporary Residence
Loneliness can be one of the most painfully frustrating emotions we as humans are granted to feel. Internal turbulence and outward irritation becomes our only friend in compensation for that one last worldly relation we’ve yet to pin down. It’s in these desperate days that Explosions in the Sky have withdrawn their influence from, it seems, for their latest album. Well known by now for their achingly real expeditions into lush instrumental territory, All Of a Sudden I Miss Everyone is the most recent addition to a discography renowned for catching every summertime breeze and winter rain and setting it to disk with some of the most beautiful, yet writhing, melodies the world has been granted to hear. In a matter of six songs and roughly forty-two minutes, the most refreshing collection of instrumentals is laid upon your ears. Modest, yet dynamic, All of a Sudden… is a worthy proponent to Explosions in the Sky’s unembellished magnificence and mystique.
EITS, an acronym more recognized than the actual band name itself, stick to their guns in that those familiar with previous releases will transition smoothly without any real sense of déjà vu; something Explosions in the Sky have safely avoided, thankfully, whilst keeping with the routine variety of instruments and maintaining an almost signature gradual buildup to tense breakdown song construct. As listeners found in How Strange, Innocence a languidly glacial ambiance, and again in The Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place’s starry arpeggios, this four piece has a knack for filling those bare moments between creeping guitar crescendos and military-style snare snaps with a crystalline sparkle. Whether it is studio born or a figment of our imagination created in response to such a conglomeration of splendor, it is beautiful. There’s no short of this mood in All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone, getting back. The nature of each track even takes on a sort of aquamarine texture and tone, as exemplified by the album’s artwork.
Unrequited love meets the watery depths in a pastoral pool of what the band themselves consider to be the album they’re most proud of. With critics already raving this is the band’s most mature outreach yet, some fans are scratching their heads and wondering if it’s even possible for a band with such an innate love for beauty-through-gloom and disarray-through-climax to produce new material that is even more mature. Somehow however, the “M” word I hate throwing out can and should be applied to the Sky’s new effort. Every tiny space is filled, leaving no aspects to any song uncovered and no silent corners of the track apparent. Compare “The Birth and Death of the Day”; one of All of a Sudden’s top cuts, to a song like “The Only Moment We Were Alone”, off The Earth…, and you’ll have a surprisingly pleasing contrast. You simply can not beat the orchestral brilliance created in “The Birth…”, seen within the first minute even, with any of their previous works. Sure, The Rescue EP gave us a road-weary and slightly peak-less look at Explosions and the Friday Night Lights OST allowed us a faintly brooding, if not primarily angsty, view of the band, but it’s easy to see All of a Sudden… is in a niche of its own.
…a niche that pulls out one of the most beautiful songs that I’ve ever had the chance of hearing. I speak of the album’s closer, “So Long, Lonesome”. Explosions have experimented with the piano every so often, but the ivories have never been implemented in this way. Floating piano saunters set besides dismal guitar plucks and a shimmering background collaborate flawlessly, culminating in power at the very end with Chris Hrasky’s splash-the-cymbals, mark the bass drum finale. Speaking of Chris, though, it seems he has stepped out of his norm, taking to exploring his drumset a bit better. In fact, he makes the song “Welcome, Ghosts”. The guitar arrangements in the album’s first single are, respectively, pretty characteristic of the band, but it’s really with Hrasky’s fierce drumming that “Welcome, Ghosts” stands apart from the rest of the album. Most notably from the following track, “It’s Natural to Be Afraid”; a thirteen minute proverbial countryside drive exploring all ranges of Explosion’s tempos, climaxes, and moods.
Some tend to believe Explosions in the Sky are, or embody the essence of, the instrumental band for beginners. Criticism couldn’t be more misdirected. In terms of expressing true emotions through simply using the household garage band instruments and a dab of glossy production, All of a Sudden… holds its ground as one of the best around. Taking steps towards ultimate perfection, Explosions in the Sky propel their legend to new heights with All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone. It is more or less what everyone expected, but our expectations couldn’t have been better satisfied. I don't care to know how they will come around to topping this album for me, however. I'm still too immersed in the space of what this album truly embodies. |
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Displaying posts 1 - 15 of 62. |
06:17 PM on 02/11/07 | I agree with this review wholeheartedly. This album is an excellent exercise in mood and atmosphere. And your praise of the closer is dead-on. That track took my breath away immediately.
Your writing has come so far over the last year, Scott. I still can't believe your progression. You seem to have both quality and quantity down pat. Much respect, dude. | | |
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06:22 PM on 02/11/07 | After reading your review, I have decided I need to buy this album when it comes out and I cannot wait to hear it. Excellent review | | |
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08:35 PM on 02/11/07 | love the review and the album | | |
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08:36 PM on 02/11/07 | everyone should buy this album. it really is outstanding | | |
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08:38 PM on 02/11/07 | another album to buy for 07
good review, convinced me. | | |
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08:40 PM on 02/11/07 | Great review, and absolutely wonderful record. | | |
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08:41 PM on 02/11/07 | Amazing review and amazing band. I am pumped to pick up this album | | |
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08:48 PM on 02/11/07 | I don't get this band. (No vocalist?)
Good review. | | |
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08:57 PM on 02/11/07 | Originally Posted by saysmydoctor I don't get this band. (No vocalist?)
Good review. |
You definitely don't.
Anyway, this is probably my favorite EITS album. Either this or Those Who Shall Tell The Truth.... | | |
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09:00 PM on 02/11/07 | i'm really looking forward to picking this up. | | |
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09:08 PM on 02/11/07 | the most soothing music ever. me and my roommates smoke and listen to EITS and its one of the greatest feelings ever | | |
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09:12 PM on 02/11/07 | This is a good album, but in my opinion, ever since TWTTTSD... each album gets a tad more boring than its predecessor. This band also seems to be the most popular band of the post-rock genre (with the exception of Sigur Ros) and that is a shame because there are TONS of amazing post-rock bands out there that don't get the credit they deserve. | | |
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09:18 PM on 02/11/07 | Minutes away, but miles apart Originally Posted by totallysweatThis is a good album, but in my opinion, ever since TWTTTSD... each album gets a tad more boring than its predecessor. This band also seems to be the most popular band of the post-rock genre (with the exception of Sigur Ros) and that is a shame because there are TONS of amazing post-rock bands out there that don't get the credit they deserve. |
^qft. i totally agree with you. | | |
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