Listening Posts
A Redditor from the Post Rock community sent me this fascinating image of various artists that have the 'Post Rock' sound in flowchart form. As I was taking a look at it. I was surprised. One thought that popped up was: 'Wow! Tycho? Really!?' It makes sense now....it's just that I kept seeing them pop up in my Electronica mix that I couldn't see them anywhere else (oh yeah...the downside of genres!).
While listening to a number of albums featured, I decided also to see if I can classify the other genres other than Post Rock:
- ECIM – Cul De Sac – Avant Garde Jazz
- Neu! - Neu! - New Wave
- Tunnel Blanket – This Will Destroy You – Minimalist / Focus / Shoegaze
- Transient Random-Noise Bursts With Announcements – Stereolab – Alternative / Indie
- Hurtbreak Wonderland - World's End Girlfriend – Neo Classical
- Deep Politics – Grails – Folk
- Stubborn Persistent Illusions - Do Make Say Think – Punk
- Lost Voices - Esmerine - Neo Classical
- Fly Pan Am - Fly Pan Am – Punk
- He Has Left Us Alone But Shafts Of Light Sometimes Grace The Corner Of Our Rooms - Silver Mt. Zion – Neo Classical
- Spideland - Slint – Punk
There are some that sit squarely in the genre
- Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven - Godspeed You! Black Emperor
- The Bees Made Honey In The Lion's Skull – Earth
- Millions Now Living Will Never Die - Tortoise
When I say 'sit squarely' --- I am using 'Explosions Under The Sky' as a barometer. Specifically the kind of sound they imbued in the score of 'Friday Night Lights'. Something that's cinematic and epic.
As for the other artists in the chart, this might be the first time I've listened to Mogwai. I've heard them being mentioned a couple of times, and it was interesting that they are credited in 'Before The Flood' which I thought was purely a Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross endeavor. Yet now listening to tracks from KIN I could hear the Mogwai sound bleed through a number of the tracks. After an even closer look I realised I had mistakenly understood the credits and thought that they all collaborated, then once I played each track, I noticed that Mogwai is credited with tracks #4, #7, #10, and #18.
At least now that makes sense because I was just thinking of the score for 'The Fourth Estate' which has a lot of their 'Industrial Sound'
So where would be my optimal 'Post Rock' listening location? I look at the image and pick #2 ("I want something pretty and accessible"), but rather than listen to the album, I go scan what's nearby and find something familiar (Tyco). Another album cover in the vicinity catches my eye: One Day I'll Be on Time (The Album Leaf). Then while listening to the first track, I remembered one of the notes: 'More Heartbreaking' --- Maybe I need to have a go at that? Halfway through 'Ashes Through The Snow' I thought: 'No...that's not the right choice'.
So maybe the way to find those Post Rock tracks that would make my brain go: 'I want to listen to than again' --- is to look at the genre's that overlaps my current playlist. Unless I should admit that I'm less of a Post Rock listener? I think it's more of just setting it aside and returning when it's time.
I should remind myself that since I am a 'niche' listener --- it's normal that I would end up with 5-15% of what is presented to me.
Note: After a quick search, I was able to find a reply with the image and a link to an updated version.
How about you? Which Post Rock albums mentioned in the chart have made it to your masterpiece list?
Ready to share your discovery story? Here's your official invite!
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