Search - Explosions in the Sky :: All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone

Breathtaking

J. McLean Sloughter | 02/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A couple of weeks ago, a friend introduced me to Explosions in the Sky. I saw that this album had just come out, grabbed it as an impulse buy.



I've not stopped listening to it since. It's captivating and gorgeous. Moody, atmospheric.



This special edition of the album includes a bonus disc of remixes. Tracklisting for the bonus disc is as follows:

1) Jesu Mix

2) Adem Mix

3) The Paper Chase Mix

4) Mountains Mix

5) Four Tet Mix

6) Eluvium Mix



The bonus disc is a nice extra, but pales in comparison to the main album. Interesting music, but lacking some of the emotional resonance of the album itself.



Still, whether you go for this special edition or the regular 1-disc release, this is definitely worth a purchase."

Hope for Everyone

Gift Card Recipient | Kent, Washington USA | 02/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm going to try my very best to touch on and characterize all that I've taken from this album.



But let it be known that the awe that it creates is too much for words (so maybe it's appropriate that the only appearance of words in this album is through the titles of songs, the album, or through the liner notes alone).



The album starts off with "The Birth and Death of the Day." This song comes in full force, with a distant and distorted tone paired with chords that seem to clear their throats at the beginning of the day that's described within the song.



And at this, the sun throws itself over mountains as if it were blinding through power (as light often does at the beginning of our mornings). As afternoon comes, the song seems to settle with comfort as one becomes more used to the time within the day. And as the day comes close to a close, the pace starts to quicken again with a sense of clarity that our days are not forever.



That same passion is exerted near the sun settles for sleep.



A flutter of notes carries you through a now darkened environment, and "Welcome, Ghosts" and a feeling of solitude, if you will.



Never have I heard so much said without the use of words (with of course, the exception of the words written throughout the album art).



The feeling of solitude is masterfully described, as they had hoped for, within the music and the images.



(As they also put forward romantic undertones in "The Earth is not a Cold Dead Place," or the feelings associated with war in "Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Live Forever," or the feeling of innocence and sincerity put forth in "How Strange, Innocence.")



I took three buses from Kent, Washington into Seattle, Washington (a four-hour trip both there and back) just to get to Easy Street Records to purchase the limited-edition copy of this album the day it was released (Feb. 20, 2007).



It was on sale for only $8.99, so I bought another copy for my friend.



Something I'll always remember.



And if music can make me do this, than I think that's a very powerful statement indeed.



This is album is indefinitely a work of art.



For me, it's their most mature piece of work, and their most meaningful portrayal of life.



It's also their first try and incorporating piano in atmosphere. Which, might I add, is very successful. It is something very new for them, but something that fits.



A fresh change within their music, but still to the sound that they're known to create.



The only example I can think of this use of piano would be when they recorded the eight tracks that they did for Temporary Residence Ltd. on "The Rescue." It was recorded in 2005 over the course of eight days (each track in a day) and was mostly written on the spot of each day.



(This album can be downloaded in its entirety from the Explosions In The Sky website.)



There was piano featured on several tracks throughout that album.



But only on this album was it solidified and made their own.



The experimentation must've helped some.



There's a little something for everyone in this album.



And at certain points, you'll find yourself thinking of people you've known and know.



But don't let this idea of solitude scare you off because you fear the depression.



It's not depressing.



In fact, it's very hopeful.



And like the most satisfying of movies or stories, it has a good ending.



"So Long, Lonesome.""

Artist who's paintbrush is sound

Luke A. Smucker | Chicago,IL | 03/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm listening to this Album for the first time after reading raving reviews about the band in both Spin and Rolling Stone magazine and wondering just what an instrumental rock band would sound like. A lot of people say good music isn't coming out anymore but I think this album is proof that if you're willing to look, good music is still being made.



I've often wondered what the great composers of the past would think of our music today and I can safely say I think they would easily understand and enjoy this group of musicians.



There are no lyrics but that doesn't mean there is no melody. This is people creating music in its purist form. If the music is this good I can only imagine that if there were words, they would be the answers to the meaning of life itself. As it is, don't be surprised if listening to this album puts you into another level of consciousness that you rarely enter.



Thank you Explosions In The Sky for not being afraid to break the mold and make your own way. With this album, you have inspired me to do the same."