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Explosions in the Sky

Travels in Constants, Vol. 21: The Rescue
2005
Temporary Residence

Explosions in the Sky - Travels in Constants, Vol. 21: The Rescue (Cover Artwork)

Review by: Dan Perrone
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Explosions In The Sky (link)

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Published on November 18th 2005

It’s got to be tough being the most popular post-rock band around. I mean, think about it: From a critical point of view, you need to do everything right; your music can’t be too long, or else it’s boring; it can’t be too short, or else it’s not even really post-rock; it can’t be too much or else it’s too difficult to listen to; it can’t be too minimalist or else the song drags on, et cetera. That being said, Explosions in the Sky have the proverbial weight of the world on their shoulders whenever they release new material. With the mail order-only (through the band’s label, Temporary Residence) new “mini-album,” as the band decided EP was not indicative of the status of the material (after all, eight songs in 32 minutes is a regular album for most bands), Explosions in the Sky has made a rather ballsy move: None of the eight songs reaches past 5:19 long, with much less rising and falling action, as well as intensity, than the band’s last true effort (not counting the "Friday Night Lights" soundtrack), 2003’s masterful The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place.

Those looking for the band of two years ago may be disappointed, as the songs are more or less quick, pretty little instrumental pieces in the Explosions in the Sky vein: Very soft, beautiful, and almost sensually styled. As mentioned before, the songs don’t really go anywhere on here, as opposed to the twists, turns, and climaxes witnessed on the band’s earlier material. I suppose this can be attributed to the fact that each of the songs was written in a day, hence the track titles being “Day One” through “Day Eight.” Still, each song is very accessible, even more so than usual, and makes for great relaxation music. The band incorporates almost Christmas-y sounding elements and a bouncy bass line to “Day One,” sound clips of a conversation (I have yet to find out where this is from) on “Day Three,” and a How Strange, Innocence approach to the final track, “Day Eight,” while keeping the Explosions spirit alive (and keeping older fans happy) with easily-recognizable tracks like “Day Five” and “Day Seven.” There are even some "oooh's" and "ahhh's" to be found strewn across the album, a first for the band.

People will be surprised by this mini-album. I’m not sure people were expecting this from the band that released such epic material in the past, but once you get over that fact, you will find some pretty alright music. I would be hard-pressed to say this is a fantastic and up-to-Explosions’-standards release, as I too still feel a bit let down, but this is by no means a cop-out. Between this album and the even more minimalist "Friday Night Lights" soundtrack, it will be interesting to see where everyone’s favorite post-rock band will go next. By not taking this album completely seriously, you will find some excellent musicianship and some great relaxation music.

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Posted by DenBez on 2006-11-27 01:35:29

I like how half of the comments on this site are stuck-up punk kids yelling about how everything new or different sucks, like 85-year-old men, but without getting to even live through the time period they glorify.

I know kids who refer to this as "the new Explosions in the Sky record." Internet file-trading is cool and all, but people should look into what they download (steal). I don't think this is even worth reviewing. It's a neat little mail-order oddity for hardcore fans, not something designed for mass consumption.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 at 3:31 PM (EST)

"who does this band think they are with their album titles? coheed and cambria?"

I am pretty sure EITS has been around longer than Coheed; not only that, but the fact that Explosions has some of the most original and emotional music I have ever heard, and anyone who listens to them may or may not agree, and that Coheed induces dry-heaves whenever played should gentle down your attitude a little bit.

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 24, 2005 at 3:06 PM (EST)
My Score:

"who does this band think they are with their album titles? coheed and cambria?"

Travels in Constants is the name of an EP series that their label releases, the EP itself is just called "The Rescue".

PS - never compare Explosions to the monumentally lame Coheed.

Posted by theundergroundscene on 2005-11-20 22:11:59

that's a very terrible description

Posted by hungryjoe on 2005-11-20 17:33:42

I've always thought of these guys as a second rate Mogwai.

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 20, 2005 at 11:50 AM (EST)
My Score:

it's not that i don't listen to post-rock... i just listen to ESPN radio all day now.

Posted by ClicheMyHeart on 2005-11-19 17:35:58
My Score:

you've never heard of explosions in the sky?(to the post two below me) I would say they are one of the biggest since they did the soundtrack to friday night lights. I would assume you dont listen to post-rock music at all.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 19, 2005 at 3:21 PM (EST)

This cd is damn good, and also the drift cd is great also.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 19, 2005 at 1:08 PM (EST)
My Score:

"It’s got to be tough being the most popular post-rock band around."

really? i've never even heard of this band.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 19, 2005 at 2:25 AM (EST)

Yes, but they are no Kalpana.

Posted by etwiels88 on 2005-11-19 01:11:41

People this is the internet....just download it if you can't find it

Posted by garbage on 2005-11-18 19:26:47
My Score:

Day Five alone is worth finding this for.

Posted by theundergroundscene on 2005-11-18 19:01:30

travels in constants is a group of special released by the label, temporary residence

this is volume 21 of the series

eits chose to title it the rescue

Posted by fallingupwards84 on 2005-11-18 17:58:46

who does this band think they are with their album titles? coheed and cambria?

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 18, 2005 at 5:40 PM (EST)

Why the fuck even review this? You have to subscribe to the travels in constants series to be able to get this. Or maybe at an explosions show...the latter is pretty much out of the question for a while.

--Trav.

Posted by ryanbolger on 2005-11-18 17:15:45

the only way to get this is at their live shows.

they have two in NY and two in LA next month.

otherwise, just go to the temporary residence forums, and follow the links to download the .rar format of the EP.

it's nice.

Posted by etwiels88 on 2005-11-18 15:44:05

Wow, I didn't even know about this. I'll have to find it...

Posted by theundergroundscene on 2005-11-18 13:55:40

i really am feeling like their next full-length (due out next year...i hope?) will own the universe

i feel like they know what they're doing when they're making music like this and like the friday night lights soundtrack...they aren't stupid guys, they know how fans will react to it

i know they've got something amazing up their sleeves

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 18, 2005 at 1:35 PM (EST)

good review, but is this even out yet?
this had a really chill sound, i love the xylophones, they gave the album this chill vibe. definitely agree with you that it sounds christmas'y at times, which may be something they were attempting at, since isn't this schedueled for release in december?

this was definitely their weakest attempt to date, but definitely not a bad album at all. and you really have to give them credit for recording this ala-led zeppelin, in just twelve days. they apparently wrote one song per day, and then left it alone. if they totally disliked the song, they just scrapped it, and started over.

Posted by fritobandito on 2005-11-18 13:28:09

What in the undead 137 fucks does "post-rock" mean? Labelling makes me vomit, but "post-rock"? Rock is dead but we play rock now we're "post-rock"? Fuck me with a melon baller this is out of hand.

haha best imagery ever at the end of that statement.

But the point is, post-rock is electric rock music, but generally long, flowing, technical, and usually instrumental (or close to it) songs. So basically it's using rock instruments for non-rock purposes.

Think bands like Mogwai, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Kayo Dot, Gregor Samsa, Red Sparowes, A Silver Mt. Zion, The Album Leaf, Do Make Say Think, etc.

Posted by Archangel on 2005-11-18 13:27:08

Really good review.

Posted by bloodbrothersburnpiano on 2005-11-18 13:21:56

i would argue that sigur ros is the most popular post-rock band around.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 18, 2005 at 1:16 PM (EST)

well, the album was written and recorded in a weeks time...so don't expect the same EITS

but with that said, the next proper full length will be amazig

Posted by iheartadam on 2005-11-18 13:03:53

What in the undead 137 fucks does "post-rock" mean? Labelling makes me vomit, but "post-rock"? Rock is dead but we play rock now we're "post-rock"? Fuck me with a melon baller this is out of hand.

Posted by skaboom on 2005-11-18 13:00:01

I wanted to order this, but I thought it was part of a subscription type thing. Like you paid X dollars and they sent you a new record every month for a year. This was the only cd I really wanted, so it wasn't worth paying for all the other releases.

Posted by inagreendase on 2005-11-18 12:52:22
My Score:

Yeah, this is decent, but you can tell it was purposely rushed...should definitely hold over fans until the next proper LP at least.