Music Information

The Post-rock Revolution (Explosions in the sky)


A lot has been said about the 'post-rock' revolution as of late. The rise of instrumental bands such as Explosions in the sky, Godspeed you! black emperor, Maserati, and The Mercury Program has raised questions about the direction that music is traveling. More and more people are looking for something different, something fresh. We are sick of the same pop songs being shoveled down our throats, we are sick of mindless rap, we are sick of mindless rock. We are sick of mindless music. So what happens when you remove the vocal aspect of music? It becomes exceedingly difficult to fall into the 'mindless' category; the instrumental soundscapes allow your mind to apply its own story to the music. It's remarkable what happens when you let the listener dictate the theme of the music.

For the most part, the success of post-rock has been an underground phenomenon. However moving into the new age of music using the internet and file sharing as a hub, what will we be seeing in the future? Explosions in the Sky have recently scored one major hollywood movie and provided tracks for another, so obviously someone is listening to their music and finding a mainstream use for it. With the rise of the internet, it's now possible for entirely new genres to expose themselves to a widespread audience with minimal financial backing. Instead of playing shows for 10 people for months before being picked up for a statewide tour, bands can simply release their album online and let the music spread on its own.

Explosions in the Sky are the perfect example of this new market. While this tiny band from Texas may not be selling millions of records, their presence is well known on the internet and many underground circles. Instead of actively working against the spread of their music via "illegal" means the band allows their shows to be taped and distributed for free throughout the internet. (For some great live videos, check out this site ) This allows not only for their music to reach more listeners, but when file sharers stumble upon a band that isn't actively fighting against them, or labeling them as criminals, they generally do what they can to help the band, and more importantly the band's mindset, proliferate.

It's quite difficult to describe exactly what draws people to this band. Their music is simplistic at times, with a single echoing guitar melody and a droning bass line, but the songs always give the sense that something is happening, something behind the music. Every song will shrink and grow, building off slowly, and eventually climaxing with layered guitars, thundering drums and bass, only to descend again, and start the process over. With music orchestrated as if playing a soundtrack to an imaginary movie, allowing the listener to create their own worlds to accompany the sounds. Many people are reminded of lush mountain ranges, open skies and green pastures, still others describe the music as the perfect complement to an underwater epic. Perhaps you will find that the music would lend itself to old time war pictures? This is the brilliance of instrumental music; a choose your on adventure, with sounds.

While bands like Godspeed you! Black emperor have been making this type of music for a few years now, more and more labels are taking the risk by signing 'unknown' post-rock acts, the number of bands in this genre has skyrocketed in the past few years. If the currents continue, we may just be seeing bands like Explosions in the Sky on MTV and Much Music in the near future. With this in mind we can look forward to the indie backlash and accusations of 'selling out' running rampant. Oh well, at least the bands will have money to keep making music. I guess that's the business.

Chris Elkjar is the founder of 'trust.me' an online music magazine for the enthusiast. He spends all of his spare time immersed in music, be it writing reviews, interviews with leading bands or writing his own music.

For more of his writing, check out Trust-Me.ca - Music for robots


MORE RESOURCES:

Music Note romps in Coaching Club American Oaks at Belmont Park
The Canadian Press, NEW YORK - 9 hours ago
NEW YORK — Music Note turned in a dazzling performance, beating entrymate Little Belle by 11 lengths Saturday in the US$300000 Coaching Club American Oaks ...
Music Note delivers loud and clear CBSSports.com
Music Note dazzles in Coaching Club Brisnet.com
Music Note Crushes CCA Oaks Rivals BloodHorse
Thoroughbred Times
all 24 news articles


Telegraph.co.uk

Music, co-op games the dominant trends at E3
CNET News, CA - Jul 18, 2008
Among the dominant trends at E3 in Los Angeles this week was music games. Everywhere you looked, publishers were announcing new ones and players were ...
Nintendo unveils a Wii music game Oneindia
Nintendo E3 Cliff's Notes! Mygamer.com
Nintendo Ready To Rock With Wii Music After Big E3 ChattahBox
dBTechno - bit-tech.net
all 367 news articles


Olympic champ Carly Patterson finds a new passion: music
Dallas Morning News, TX - 2 hours ago
There's more to life than just gymnastics, and I had other goals, obviously, with the music and stuff." Ms. Patterson's budding music career, however, ...


Fresh thoughts on new music
Detroit Free Press, United States - 55 minutes ago
(Buddy Guy opens for George Thorogood & the Destroyers at the Meadow Brook Music Festival on Aug. 21.) The reputation of the legendary Los Angeles band Love ...


Kid Rock returns in style Saturday night at DTE Energy Music Theatre
Detroit Free Press, United States - 2 hours ago
... a welcomed return to metro Detroit Saturday night for Kid Rock and his Rock and Roll Revival -- in the first of four shows at DTE Energy Music Theatre. ...


Mom fights music giant
San Jose Mercury News,  USA - 23 hours ago
"The music companies are just going to keep doing this to people. I think it's my responsibility to stand up to them and say, 'That's enough. ...
Mom fights music giant over DMCA takedown notice Afterdawn.com
Fair use claimed in YouTube row Calgary Herald
Mom continues to chase Prince on Free Use issue CNET News
CBS 5 - Wired News
all 24 news articles


MLive.com

Long-lost friends reunite in marriage, music
MLive.com, MI - 13 hours ago
BISMARCK, ND -- Music was the force that brought them together in 1936, shortly before their lives took separate, yet musical, paths. ...


Music retailer thrives serving captive audience
Reuters - 4 hours ago
NEW YORK (Billboard) - As music retailers struggle to stay in business, a Los Angeles firm is doing nicely targeting a demographic that gets bigger every ...


Rocky Mountain News

Event deserves a bow, music tries to keep up
Denver Post, CO - 1 hour ago
By Ricardo Baca It was a fine debut for the Mile High Music Festival, which opened Saturday on the outer grounds of Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce ...
Mile High Music Festival winds down Rocky Mountain News
Mile High Music Festival opens cw2.com
Mile High Music Fest - too much going on Rocky Mountain News
Rocky Mountain News - Rocky Mountain News
all 22 news articles


Bono weaves Spider-Man a web of music
Times Online, UK - 8 hours ago
Having composed the music for the forthcoming Broadway production of Spider-Man, Bono and the Edge will release a U2 album based on their musical adaptation ...

Music - Google News

home | site map

Visit our other sites:
GamesBlog | GamingDepot | GimmeaRide | GimmeNetwork | Golf Biz | HotorNotGame | I Want Computers | I Want Games | I Want Hosting | I Want Music | I Want Security | JokeBox | ScriptShock | Wantedfonts | Webalize
© 2006