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Explosions in the Sky
How Strange, Innocence


3.0
good

Review

by Wanker USER (15 Reviews)
January 16th, 2005 | 53 replies


Release Date: 2000 | Tracklist


Explosions in the Sky - How Strange, Innocence

The Band
Christopher Hrasky - Percussion/Drums
Michael James - Bass
Mark Smith - Guitar
Manuf Rayani - Guitar

"Well-substantiated rumor has it that Explosions in the Sky got signed to Temporary Residence thanks to fellow Austin-dwellers American Analog Set, who submitted their self-recorded first album, How Strange, Innocence, with a note reading 'this totally fucking destroys,'" says Daniel Levin Becker of Dusted Reviews. Although it's production quality is less than refined, the substance of this album completely makes up for it. Explosions in the Sky combine the spooky sounds of Slint and the groovy tunes of Mogwai and put out a unique atmosphere that only they can create.

A Song for Our Fathers - 5:35
The album starts off with a groovy bassline and the sound of a helicopter rotor. Guitars come in and ring out a catchy melody. The percussion rolls along in a militristic-style march. The music rises and falls several times as the melodies shift back and forth. Eventually the music gets extremely quiet and then just explodes in the listeners ears. Distorted guitars, bass and percussion all come and fade away until the original bassline is left to follow suit.
5/5

Snow and Lights - 8:17
This next track commences with distant strumming int eh background which is soon lifted by another guitar and parcussion. This is my least favorite part on the album right here; the song just sort of drags along for 3 or 4 minutes as melodies shift back and forth. After a while, though, the distant guitar comes back and plays its original tune while the percussion chimes in with quick beats. It grows and grows and builds up so much tension. It feels as though its going to break out at any second, but it never does. This one ends rather anti-climactically.
3/5

Magic Hours - 8:29
One of my favorite tracks on the album. It begins with a catchy guitar melody that is expanded on with the other instruments. The melody changes and shifts a couple times before slowing the tempo down completely. After a minute or so, the tempo begin to increase as with the volume. New elements are added. A distorted guitar attacks the original melody and adds a whole new dimension to the song. The music finally climaxes with a frenzy of guitar and percussion that ends perfectly.
4.5/5

Look Into the Air - 5:30
This next track is one of the more mellow tracks. Its very subdued and has a nice groove to it. An initial melody is started and then expanded upon, just like in most of the other songs. This is one of their more Mogwai-ish tracks and I really like it. After a little while, the music begins to slow down and recede, when, as usual, the drums come in and the guitars distort and it grows and explodes in the end. Good stuff.
4/5

Glittering Blackness - 5:30
Glittering Blackness reminds me a lot of Snow and Lights but without the wintery feeling to it. Guitars begin to play a melancholy tune and in come the drums and bass. The themes change and get louder and softer. Eventually it reaches that recognizable feeling of anticlimactic-ness. Another Mogwai-ish track.
3/5

Time Stops - 9:55
This is another highlight of the album. Guitars introduce a melody that give's one the sense of flight. This continues for the first half of the song or so but is then replaced by a new theme. Guitars and percussion build and build until it finally reaches an enormous climax that was well-worth the wait.
5/5

Remember Me as a Time of the Day - 5:27
An echoing guitar tune introduces the final track on the album. This is soon accompanied by another guitar and continue to play. This is a very sad theme, indeed. However, once the percussion enters, the mood picks back up a little. The guitars become slightly more cheerful and carry the melody through and through. The melody changes a few times during this, creating several different moods. The ending doesn't contain doesn't explode, but it's also not anti-climactic. A great ending.
4/5

Explosions in the Sky's debut album was met with mixed reviews. Some saying that it imitated the current "Slint-style" post-rock. Others saw it and still see it as an innovative move towards new views in the realm of today's music scene.

Recommended? Hell yes. If you enjoy Explosions in the Sky's lastest two installments and wish to hear their early music then this is the obvious choice. Your curiosity shouldn't be met with disappointment.:thumb:

Recommended Tracks
A Song For Our Fathers
Magic Hours
Time Stops

I rate this album a 3/5



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Comments:Add a Comment 
Tangy zizzle
November 4th 2004


253 Comments


Punk rock.

Wanker
November 4th 2004


139 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

[QUOTE=Tangy zizzle]Punk rock.[/QUOTE]



Oh yeah, it doesn't get any more punk than this right here. Whoooo



:cool:

Happymeal
November 4th 2004


330 Comments


Woot! Nice review. If only they released a lot more copies of their albums here in Canada, 'cause I really don't want to download the songs.

GongTaxi
November 5th 2004


2 Comments


Great reveiw, you've inspired me to check these guys out again, I've heard "A Song's For Our Fathers" and liked it quite a bit, soulseek here I come. :grin:

Wanker
November 5th 2004


139 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

[QUOTE=Happymeal]Woot! Nice review. If only they released a lot more copies of their albums here in Canada, 'cause I really don't want to download the songs.[/QUOTE]



Thats a responsible stance to take, however, they only released 2 or 300 copies of the album and they purposely released it on the internet so people could download it.



So, no worries! :cool:

moderaterock222
November 30th 2004


121 Comments


It's a cool album. I especially like Magic Hours. I think it's their second best effort after EINACDP. For some reason, i don't really like 'thos who tell the truth....'. Good review!

BuddyBigsby
November 30th 2004


531 Comments


I don't think I've heard anything off this album. I must fix this.

EITS live is like a religious experience.

The Ashtray Girl
November 30th 2004


108 Comments


Only listened to some tracks from this for the first time today, and lo and behold!

Great review, I'll rep ya for it once you're unbanned.

Kaden
December 1st 2004


222 Comments


Haven't heard it yet, but I'm very very interested...I might go out of my way to buy it one of these days.


But then again, I might not.

wanker_2
December 1st 2004


2 Comments


[QUOTE=Kaden]Haven't heard it yet, but I'm very very interested...I might go out of my way to buy it one of these days.


But then again, I might not.[/QUOTE]

Sorry, but you won't be able to buy it anywhere.

If you want to check it out, go here. I'm not sure if the entire songs play or not.

http://www.last.fm/music/explosions%20in%20the%20sky/How%20Strange,%20Innocence

PS: Threadstarter's a bitch.

Kaden
December 1st 2004


222 Comments


[QUOTE=wanker_2]Sorry, but you won't be able to buy it anywhere.

If you want to check it out, go here. I'm not sure if the entire songs play or not.

http://www.last.fm/music/explosions%20in%20the%20sky/How%20Strange,%20Innocence

PS: Threadstarter's a bitch.[/QUOTE]
Why can't I buy it? Is it discontinued?

Happymeal
December 1st 2004


330 Comments


I think they only released a few hundred copies of this album, like Wanker said. Good luck finding one. But I hear rumors floating around concerning re-issues next year..

40 oz 2 freedom
December 1st 2004


96 Comments


Good band, but overrated like crazy.

Per Ardua Ad Astra
December 1st 2004


106 Comments


I am in love with Explosions in the Sky, 'A song for our fathers' is great.

Dark Hero
December 1st 2004


160 Comments


[QUOTE=40 oz 2 freedom]Good band, but overrated like crazy.[/QUOTE]

Not really.

biografiend
December 14th 2004


55 Comments


I was going to call dibs and review this cd awhile ago, but youve beaten me to it, and did a wonderful review. this is probably my favorite explosions in the sky cd.

Wanker
December 15th 2004


139 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

[QUOTE=ByeByeBeautiful]I was going to call dibs and review this cd awhile ago, but youve beaten me to it, and did a wonderful review. this is probably my favorite explosions in the sky cd.[/QUOTE]



Thanks for the praise



You can still do a review though! Just stick it in this thread. I'd really like to hear other people's versions of reviews for Explosions in the Sky; I'm getting sick of my own.



More people should write some Godspeed You! Black Emperor reviews too. I need variety.

biografiend
December 15th 2004


55 Comments


i might later on. im working on a blonde redhead review at the moment. i also have GY!BE's F#A#infinity that i might review later on as well, now that you mention it.

woofwoofwoof
April 10th 2005


156 Comments


i don't know how they write thier stuff. i mean, i can barely play it.

FistfulOfSteel
March 10th 2006


898 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Glittering Blackness is perfection. All the songs on this are amazing. Not a weak track. Very good for sleeping too... (not in a bad way)



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