Saturday, February 9, 2008

Blueneck - Scars of the Midwest (Don’t Touch)

A North Somerset (UK) based instrumental post-rock band, Blueneck, flicks the lit match into the puddle of gasoline, spilled near my winter beaten soul. With the calm cinematic piano, gliding guitars, and explosive crescendos, Blueneck builds up raw emotion until you are slapped across the face with sound; and while your cheek is still throbbing with the pain of reality, the subliminal messages are pumped into your head in gentle brush strokes. Blueneck expands on the beloved Godspeed You! Black Emperor with their masterful command of instruments, apocalyptic tension, and controlled dynamics. The atmospheric and restrained pace intensifies the anticipation of resolve, and the final delivery does not dissapoint. I'm not a big fan of vocals in my music, unless they are executed by memorable voices, like David Martin's from iLiKETRAiNS. Yet Duncan Attwood impresses me once again - I am instantly reminded of Thom Yorke and Radiohead's classic Kid A. Scars of the Midwest is Blueneck's first album released on Don't Touch records, scheduled for a vinyl reprint by Denovali Records in 2008. I am also impatient about their split release with The Pirate Ship Quintet on the same label, Denovali. Highly recommended! Favorite track : Epiphany and Ub2.

myspace.com/blueneck | myspace.com/denovali

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