Post Rock bands either rule or suck ass. There's no middle ground. I think the reason for this is that There's a very fine line between being boring as shit and being entertaining when it comes to the minimalistic nature of the genre (it becomes immediately apparent when a band is unoriginal in post rock), as well as the general copycat nature of new post rock bands. Godspeed You! Black Emperor is an example of a band that does not bore. Here's a group that is well known for its 20+ minute-long tracks filled with ambiance and dark string arrangements, yet despite the extended passages of silence or ambient noises the music is never boring and always gripping. The atmosphere and mood created by the Montreal 9-piece is such that it draws the listener in without lulling them into a deep slumber.

Too often is the opposite true. Bands such as If These Trees Could Talk, Canyonsofstatic, This Will Destroy You and Russian Circles perpetuate the idea held by many that post rock is the most boring genre of music imaginable, or at least that it is degenerating into said boredom. The reason the genre is essentially turning to shit is because there is very little innovation left, new bands preferring to copy the styles of Sigur Ros or Explosions In The Sky or whatever instead of creating something faintly original.

So boring is most post rock, that bands such as Mono are considered gods of the genre just for keeping one awake whilst listening to their music. This pisses me off. Mono are good, don't get me wrong, but anyone who thinks that their latest album is a classic of the genre needs to listen to more music.

In this post, I've included three albums, all amazing, all interesting, all post rock. Download links are the album names.



Do Make Say Think - Winter Hymn Country Hymn Secret Hymn

This album is fantastic. It has a jazzy, rustic feel to it and doesn't swear by the old "quietly played theme progressing to earth shatteringly loud version of original theme" unwritten law followed religiously by most bands of the genre. Instead, Do Make Say Think prefer to add layers and textures to the sound, not just increase volume and distortion levels. I cannot recommend this enough.



God Is An Astronaut - All Is Violent, All Is Bright

An Irish post rock band focusing more on catchy piano and guitar melodies than buildups and climaxes. That's not to say that there are no typical post rock elements in their music, but they're going for a much more accessible, catchy feel than Godspeed or Tortoise. The music has this icy cold quality to it which manages to sound alternately eerie and extraordinarily groovy. For instant satisfaction this is essential. Oh yeah and it never gets old, did I mention that? Get it now.




Talk Talk - Laughing Stock

One of the first (if not the first) post rock records. Jazzy and ambient, with vocals, this is nothing like Sigur Ros or Mogwai. The transition between "Ascension Day" and "After the Flood" is breathtaking.