Explosions in the Sky - Earth is not a Cold Dead Place (Temporary Residence, 2003)

Explosions in the Sky
Earth is not a Cold Dead Place
Temporary Residence
2003

Rating: 8 breakfast tacos out of 10

I am not a religious man, but there is something so moving about the music of Austin-based Explosions in the Sky that it makes me want to start a whole new faith that revolves around their glorious instrumentation. And where their amazing last album “Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Live Forever” may have seemed to be obsessed with death and dying, their new album “Earth is not a Cold Dead Place” shows that maybe there’s hope after all, even if it’s the smallest glint. That’s all fine and well, but the real question on the table is “is this any good?” the overwhelming answer is yes – where it’s predecessor was an exercise in the dramatic difference between quiet and loud in this genre of instrumental post-rock (as the kids like to call it), this album is a much more soothing affair, but not without it’s moments. Instead of running up and punching you in the face with the music like the last album did, this go around they ease you into it, like taking the stairs into the pool, but before you know it you’re in the deep end, so to speak. In my opinion, they make up one-fourth of the most important bands out there performing this type of music – Mono from Japan, Mogwai from Scotland, and Godspeed You! Black Emperor from Canada being the other three. This may be my favorite type of music being produced right now, and it would be difficult to say that Explosions in the Sky aren’t leading the whole pack.