Review Summary: Summarize this album in not but a few words? Ha.
I lay back on my bed and hit play on my mp3 player. As I anxiously await the first note of the song (Dash And Blast) my mind begins racing through the day’s events and I become claustrophobic as I think of the inevitable chaos that will ensue in the week to come. Then something amazing happens. The song begins to play and all of my worries and anxieties are instantly washed away. Exams, projects, reviews, term marks all become completely irrelevant as I’m held captive, captivated by what I’m hearing.
The song starts off slowly with some beautifully harmonized strings and soft percussion. As the song’s pace toddles along the only thoughts that can infiltrate my mind are ones of happier times. While I sit and sift through my life’s memories, fondly reminiscing, I cannot help but be impressed by
Yndi Halda’s song writing. I begin to realize the thought and effort that went into the composure of the song. It’s been roughly four minutes now and the song continues to move sombrely along at the same pace at which it began. The violin continues playing lovely melodies as the guitar plays softly under it creating an inconceivably mellow, patient atmosphere. The drums continue along as well, with Oliver Newton playing gently on the cymbals and snare. The song is teasing me now. It knows I cannot help but to wonder what’s going to happen next. Will the song continue along at a snail like pace? Is it building towards something? Is it mere moments away from exploding into something completely different? As these thoughts race through my head it becomes impossible for me not to devote all of my attention span to the song. Ha, what an ingenious way to keep the listeners attention. My own curiosity is being used against me to keep my focus.
Just as that thought process becomes complete something happens. The song changes, it was building up to something. The pace quickens ever so slightly and the guitar has now become the main focus. It’s mimicking the violin’s part and a second guitar has joined the fray and is playing in harmony with it. Shortly thereafter, there’s another change up. Something’s different now. Before I laid dormant on my bed, but now I can’t help but tap my foot and bob my head as the violin once again takes charge and a bass line becomes evident. Then as the guitar once again steals the front seat away from the violin I conclude this must be the songs climax as it couldn’t possibly become anymore breathtaking than it is now. Soon enough the tempo begins to slow and I am once again left dormant, utterly hypnotized by the ambient atmosphere. Just before the song ends some vocals come in for the first time. There are no words, however. Only the repetition of “dada dada dada”. This served as the perfect ending to the song as it was so simple and joyous.
As I eagerly await the arrival of the second track
We Flood Empty Lakes I realize why I’m so crazy about this band. They are indeed similar to many post rock bands like
Godspeed You! Black Emperor, but unlike GY!BE, Yndi Halda’s music is happy, even motivational. It’s like they’ve managed to combine post rock and indie into one hybrid of a genre.
Before I get any further with my attempt to analyse what I’ve just heard the second song commences and all thoughts are swiftly swept out of my head.
We Flood Empty Lakes off much like the preceding track, quite slowly. The violin starts things off solo playing a few chords and soon I can hear a glockenspiel join in as well. For the first time in my listening experience I gain an appreciation for the array of instruments this album displays. I really wish more bands would try using more instruments, it makes the music seem so much richer and lively. By the time I’ve finished that thought the song has begun to change. Out of the blue it quickly builds into a climactic entity, not unlike something you would hear at the end of a romance film. It seems odd to me that such a climactic feel is being given off so early into the song, but I have little time to develop that contemplation as the music quickly takes me away, once again, to warm-hearted memories of growing up. It’s strange that album of such mature song writing can so easily bring out the inner child in me. The song continues to build on the aforementioned climactic feel, with different instruments alternating as to which holds the main focus until there’s a sudden halt and all instruments fade away expect for the guitar. At this point I break away from my childhood memories and back into a more conscious state. It occurs to me that another brilliant ploy this album uses to keep my attention is the switches from a mini-orchestra of instruments playing so loudly and with such enthusiasm to one instrument playing quietly. Such a change in the accentuation of notes over such a short period of time cannot go unnoticed.
Suddenly my mood changes. Up until this point the song had been happy, and it still was, but it was something else as well. Motivational, inspiring even. Sort of a “fallen hero rising from the ashes” type feel. I now have the urge to go out and do things and accomplish goals, but the album’s brilliance keeps me firmly nestled in my bed. The song beings to build up once more as more and more instruments join in. As can be predicted now, the song builds into a glorious climax, finishing off the song flawlessly.
Now, as I await the entry of the third track I wonder what else this album could possibly throw at me. Once the first note of the violin hit it seemed as though this track would be in the same vein as the two before it, then as the guitar rang in it was clear this track had more folk influence. Also,
A Song For Starlit Beaches differentiates from the previous two tracks in the sense that it is not nearly as joyous. It has more of a damp atmosphere. It was equally as moving as the other songs, but it did not affect my mood in the same way. It brought me back to times of hardship. At first this upset me as I was so enjoying this album’s cheerful ambiance, but then something else amazing happened. While having a gloomy feel this song also had a sort of underlying triumphant feel to it. It was like someone telling me that I could easily conquer any hardships I was, or had dealt with, yet no words were spoken at all. The song moved along much like it’s predecessors. It was soft for the most part, gradually building to climactic states until the song was at a fever pitch, then it would drop abruptly back into a calm state. As expected, the instrumentals were spectacular once again and there was a wider range of them too. With a bout eight minutes left in the song some brass became evident, which was a stupendous edition. Lastly, the folk influence I mentioned earlier remained present throughout the song.
A frown fills my face as I reach the last song of the album. I know that in a mere seventeen minutes and thirty two seconds my experience will be over. I was expecting this feeling to be immediately brushed away, but it was not be. Much like
A Song For Starlit Beaches,
Illuminate My Heart, My Darling! starts off with a depressing mood and I become saddened. The album couldn’t end like this, could it? Then, almost as if the album read my mind, the song’s stride took off. In an instant the track’s personality changed completely. It was more upbeat now. The snare drum at marching pace. The violins throwing out lovely melodies like clowns throw out candy at a parade. The guitar perfectly harmonized with it and some woodwinds to give it a little extra oomph. Instantaneously, I’m thrown back to my happy place. My mind is in two places now. I’m reminiscing of the past and imagining things yet to come, but at the same time I’m completely focussed on what’s happening in the song. Almost like a magical dose of schizophrenia. The pace once again slows and I listen more intently than ever now, as the album seems to be coming to an end. After a few minutes of soft melodious harmonies things start to pick up again. Ha! The album will end with one final climactic build up. Just as I had hoped. I listen in awe as the song becomes chaotic and vibrant while managing to maintain a certain calm. It truly is amazing the roller coaster ride of emotions this album has achieved. The last note rings out and the song is finished.
My journey is over now. The album lasted not much more than an hour, yet a plethora of emotions were felt and a lifetime relived. It’s difficult to even fathom how so much could be accomplished in such a short time. But now it’s over and the weight of the world is free to crush down on me. I look at the clock. It’s early still. I shrug my shoulders and start the whole thing over again.
It’s been said that it’s unprofessional to write reviews in first person, but with this album it is simply unavoidable. You see, this album is an album, yes, but it’s also an experience and experiences are different for everyone. So, trying to tell you people how this album is going to make you feel would be completely redundant. The best I can do is tell you how this album affected me and hope that will inspire you to give it a listen.
