| Disc: 1 |
|---|
| 1. Storm |
| 2. Static |
| Disc: 2 |
| 1. Sleep |
| 2. Antennas to Heaven |
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Canada's Godspeed You Black Emperor raise the ante on their already ambitious orchestral rock by releasing a double CD of material as their second full-length album. The group combines the drums and guitar of typical rock-band instrumentation with horns and strings to create a music built around drones and slowly evolving melodic figures. It rises and falls from delicate introductory passages to unabashed grand climaxes. Their juxtaposition of drums with violins and lush romantic tonality brings to mind Rachel's, but their compositional scale and the pounding repetitive intensity of their dynamic peaks evoke Glenn Branca's The Ascension. Although the two discs are indexed at only two 21-minute tracks each, the package includes a handy road map to the movements into which each is subdivided. The opening piece starts with five minutes of a 15-beat circular melodic pattern that is gradually embellished as the volume swells to an ecstatic roar. The release drops down to a pastoral drone that rebuilds to support an acid-etched guitar solo, which in turn yields to a unified 4/4 kraut rock pound that eventually explodes, leaving behind field recordings of public announcements mingled with wandering late-night Swell Maps piano. The other pieces use a similar set of sonic building blocks to take the listener on comparable journeys. Fans of Godspeed's previous work will be very happy, and the curious might want to hop on board as well. --Bob Bannister
"Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven" by Godspeed You Black Emperor is a long sequence of shifting soundscapes, mainly instrumental, but with some recorded speech and other effects. Rather like walking along a beach where the buildings and so forth on the shoreline change every few miles, (I mean it's structured that way, not that it has any seashore sounds). Its the sort of thing I might have playing in the background that requires little concentration. I didn't find it rythmically, melodically or harmonically interesting ... but I guess the point is the whole sonic sequence, which you might like.
This album as stated before, is best listened to all at once...no interuptions, no lights...just you and the music. People have also talked about 'God' in the same breath as Godspeed's music. This is not far off. I am not a religious person and don't believe in the traditional God, yet this music has a mystical and spiritual feel to it that is completely divine in nature.
Let it be said that this is not for everybody. A lot of people will feel bored with some of it and feel it's too long. These people have obviously been brought up on verse chorus, cookie cutter music for far too long and can't appriciate the amazing progression that is necessary for the music.
I know it is one piece of music, but my favorite track is 'Sleep'. That piece just has a grip on me and wont let go. Please do yourself a favor and BUY this record. OFF.
Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., once submitted this two word review of Joseph Heller's novel Something Happened: "Nothing does." After reading one flattering review after another of this disc and this band, I placed disc one in my player with great anticipation of the layer upon layer of swelling musical ideas that would build up to powerful summit after powerful summit. Alas, what I hear is Hearts-of-Space-ish chord washes and minimalist instrument progressions that -- just when the drums kick in and the guitar gets a little noisy and a slight bit of hummable melody introduces itself -- sadly, slithers back into ten more minutes of aimless droning.
So many other musicians do longform musical ideas so much better -- seek out live Praxis, or even At War With Self and the Gordian Knot discs. Godspeed You Black Emperor may be sexy on paper, but in the reality of my headphones it is a veritable plain Jane.
When listening to this album, do it all at once. Don't start on track 2 of disc 1 or track 1 of disc 2... Play it all in succession. This is the best way to fully appreciate what you're listening to.
Also, this album may take a little while to sink in. But when it does, it will be one of the greatest things you've ever heard.
Canada's Godspeed You Black Emperor raise the ante on their already ambitious orchestral rock by releasing a double CD of material as their second full-length album. The group combines the drums and guitar of typical rock-band instrumentation with horns and strings to create a music built around drones and slowly evolving melodic figures. It rises and falls from delicate introductory passages to unabashed grand climaxes. Their juxtaposition of drums with violins and lush romantic tonality brings to mind Rachel's, but their compositional scale and the pounding repetitive intensity of their dynamic peaks evoke Glenn Branca's The Ascension. Although the two discs are indexed at only two 21-minute tracks each, the package includes a handy road map to the movements into which each is subdivided. The opening piece starts with five minutes of a 15-beat circular melodic pattern that is gradually embellished as the volume swells to an ecstatic roar. The release drops down to a pastoral drone that rebuilds to support an acid-etched guitar solo, which in turn yields to a unified 4/4 kraut rock pound that eventually explodes, leaving behind field recordings of public announcements mingled with wandering late-night Swell Maps piano. The other pieces use a similar set of sonic building blocks to take the listener on comparable journeys. Fans of Godspeed's previous work will be very happy, and the curious might want to hop on board as well. --Bob Bannister
Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven,Godspeed You Black Emperor,Kranky,Canada,Experimental Rock,Indie Rock,Pop,Post-Rock/Experimental,Rock,Rock/Pop,Space Rock
Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven
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Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven
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ASIN: B00004ZD69 Release Date: 2007-01-08 |
Tracks:
- Storm
- Static
Tracks:
- Sleep
- Antennas to Heaven
Amazon.com
Canada's Godspeed You Black Emperor raise the ante on their already ambitious orchestral rock by releasing a double CD of material as their second full-length album. The group combines the drums and guitar of typical rock-band instrumentation with horns and strings to create a music built around drones and slowly evolving melodic figures. It rises and falls from delicate introductory passages to unabashed grand climaxes. Their juxtaposition of drums with violins and lush romantic tonality brings to mind Rachel's, but their compositional scale and the pounding repetitive intensity of their dynamic peaks evoke Glenn Branca's The Ascension. Although the two discs are indexed at only two 21-minute tracks each, the package includes a handy road map to the movements into which each is subdivided. The opening piece starts with five minutes of a 15-beat circular melodic pattern that is gradually embellished as the volume swells to an ecstatic roar. The release drops down to a pastoral drone that rebuilds to support an acid-etched guitar solo, which in turn yields to a unified 4/4 kraut rock pound that eventually explodes, leaving behind field recordings of public announcements mingled with wandering late-night Swell Maps piano. The other pieces use a similar set of sonic building blocks to take the listener on comparable journeys. Fans of Godspeed's previous work will be very happy, and the curious might want to hop on board as well. --Bob BannisterCustomer Reviews:
a masterpiece.......2007-06-16
Long drifting soundscape.......2007-05-07
"Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven" by Godspeed You Black Emperor is a long sequence of shifting soundscapes, mainly instrumental, but with some recorded speech and other effects. Rather like walking along a beach where the buildings and so forth on the shoreline change every few miles, (I mean it's structured that way, not that it has any seashore sounds). Its the sort of thing I might have playing in the background that requires little concentration. I didn't find it rythmically, melodically or harmonically interesting ... but I guess the point is the whole sonic sequence, which you might like.
As close to divinity as possible..........2007-04-15
This album as stated before, is best listened to all at once...no interuptions, no lights...just you and the music. People have also talked about 'God' in the same breath as Godspeed's music. This is not far off. I am not a religious person and don't believe in the traditional God, yet this music has a mystical and spiritual feel to it that is completely divine in nature.
Let it be said that this is not for everybody. A lot of people will feel bored with some of it and feel it's too long. These people have obviously been brought up on verse chorus, cookie cutter music for far too long and can't appriciate the amazing progression that is necessary for the music.
I know it is one piece of music, but my favorite track is 'Sleep'. That piece just has a grip on me and wont let go. Please do yourself a favor and BUY this record. OFF.
Greatness, interrupted........2007-01-06
Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., once submitted this two word review of Joseph Heller's novel Something Happened: "Nothing does." After reading one flattering review after another of this disc and this band, I placed disc one in my player with great anticipation of the layer upon layer of swelling musical ideas that would build up to powerful summit after powerful summit. Alas, what I hear is Hearts-of-Space-ish chord washes and minimalist instrument progressions that -- just when the drums kick in and the guitar gets a little noisy and a slight bit of hummable melody introduces itself -- sadly, slithers back into ten more minutes of aimless droning.
So many other musicians do longform musical ideas so much better -- seek out live Praxis, or even At War With Self and the Gordian Knot discs. Godspeed You Black Emperor may be sexy on paper, but in the reality of my headphones it is a veritable plain Jane.
Masterpiece.......2006-11-04
When listening to this album, do it all at once. Don't start on track 2 of disc 1 or track 1 of disc 2... Play it all in succession. This is the best way to fully appreciate what you're listening to.
Also, this album may take a little while to sink in. But when it does, it will be one of the greatest things you've ever heard.
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