The members of
Explosions in the Sky
may just be four soft-spoken guys from Texas, but on
Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Live Forever
they simply tear everything apart. Combining influences from
classic rock
to
metal
goth
, the band creates instrumental soundscapes that can turn from all-out destruction to heartfelt, dreamy melodies in the blink of an eye. The result is similar to
Mogwai
and
Godspeed You Black Emperor!
-- a musical journey that leads listeners through the entire range of emotion without even needing words.
"Greet Death"
matches a crunchy
Dinosaur Jr.
hook with warm
Cure-esque
bass grooves.
"Moon Down"
chimes and twists through ten minutes of calm night, leaving the listener with the feeling that something awesome is sure to happen. On
"Have You Passed Through This Night?"
a film-dialogue sample ponders in a near-whispering Texas drawl the meaning of the world. What follows is like the climax of a tense, mind-blowing movie, driven by relentless guitars and a thundering
Master of Puppets
-era
Metallica
drum march.
"Poor Man's Memory"
follows, offering some consolation in a sentimental melody. The album ends with the grand, 12-minute-long
"With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept,"
a song that moves from
Sonic Youth
Joy Division
.
is nothing short of awe-inspiring and one of the best records of 2001. ~ Charles Spano