Destroy All Dreamers
Self/Titled EP
(Self Released)
I listen to a lot of self-released work, and while there are gems that stick out, there are also a lot of releases that just don't quite work. Many groups seem to send out every little thing they release, in which case a little more self-control would probably be a better measure, and many artists simply haven't found their voices yet. This little 30 minute release is just about right. The group obviously has a handle on what they're doing at this point, and not only are a couple tracks on this short release quite good, but also point at better things for the future.
Musically, the group floats somewhere between the chiming guitar crescendo parts of Godspeed You Black Emperor or a slightly more earthy Tarentel. They like the guitar reverb and slowly rising builds, and surprisingly work those angles quite well despite the fact that it's been done so many times by so many other groups over the course of the past couple years. Assuming their name was inspired by the inscription printed on the first Silver Mt. Zion CD ("Destroy All Dreamers With Doubt And Depression"), they might at least partially admit their somewhat similar musical lineage.
One of those stunning tracks I mentioned above is the opening, album titled track of "Destroy All Dreamers." Skirting along over waves of chiming, rippling guitar and another soft haze of feedback, notes shoot off into an arid landscape while the rhythm section slowly swallows ground behind. It isn't much more than a gorgeous guitar solo flowing all over the entire track, but it's so lovely that you hardly even notice. "Sombrer Dans La Folie" is the second track, and although it uses similar elements, it takes off at a much more frenetic pace, locking into a weird two-step before dropping off into the nearly 10-minute warmth of "The Sky Was Glorious For A Moment."
Other than a somewhat muddy mix (things could really soar with a little bit cleaner sound), the only major nitpick is that the release may be a little too samey for some listeners. Although none of the songs really sound completely like one another, there are familiar formulas at work in the 5 songs, but likewise the release is still rather short and tight at just about 30 minutes running time. Regardless of those little sidenotes, though, I haven't heard something quite like this in awhile. It's a refreshing hot blast of lovely guitar noise that really does work most of the time, and it's an excellent little debut from a group that will hopefully chug out more in the future. For fans of any of the above mentioned groups, as well as earlier Mogwai.
Rating: 7
