ALBUM REVIEW

It appears that reports that post-rock is ‘dead’ are pretty exaggerated, what with Mogwai still releasing good material, a new “Explosions in the sky”album out next week and this new release from Godspeed! Label mates do make say think.

While never having the same kudos as Godspeed themselves, Do make say think quietly made one of the best post-rock albums ever in 2003’s “Winter hymn, country hymn, secret hymn”, fusing jazz elements with dual-drummers and grooves unlike any other post-rock outfit. So my anticipation was high for “You, you’re a history in rust”, their first album in 4 years.

The first thing that struck me is that there is a very definite feeling contained within these new tracks of a conscious effort to try and distance themselves from the post-rock tag, which is odd since really they always floated outside of it anyway. This is a much more experimental affair, and unfortunately with that a much more loose, rag-tag one as well. Where “Winter hymn” had tighter than tight compositions, ‘History in rust’ seems content – to some extent – to be a compilation of the last 4 years worth of mucking about.

I am tempted to say that Do make say think seem to be confused about direction; opener ‘Bound to be that way’ is an ambient, smoky horn and guitar led piece, while ‘A tender history in rust’ flirts with folk and psychedelica. 'A with living' features vocals, while ‘The universe!’ is back to old Do make say think ways, albeit with a far inferior production. Then i think it’s probably no mistake that this record has a similar cobbled together feel to “Broken social scenes” last release (dmst’s charles spearin is a member).

This record does have 2 or 3 great tracks on it – ‘Her story of glory’, ‘Executioners blues’– but is ultimately such a mash up of production styles, melting pot thoughts and differing, erratic compositions that i am left frustrated that i waited 4 years for it...

Jon-tohellwith

www.domakesaythink.com