THE EARTH IS NOT A COLD DEAD PLACE

I don't believe I have ever given five stars to an album before, but I think now I have to do it. Let me explain. This album, in my humble opinion, contains some of the most beautiful, brilliantly dynamic and moving music ever made. I think it is THE album that defines instrumental post-rock. I know they weren't the first to do it, I know it's not the most experimental, but it is the best.

The album begins with some very light and simple guitar harmonies in "First Breath After Coma". The harmonies slowly build, percussion is added, layers multiply, and just when the music seems about to explode, it drops back into silence, only to climb again to an even more intense climax. Considering the title, the music paints a vivid story of a person raised from a coma and slowly returning to life, and he is assured that life is good.

Each epic track on this album paints similar images of musical beauty and power. This music is deep and powerful without ever really being loud or 'in your face'. Every movement is subtle, every note careful, every guitar effect perfectly placed. The use of echoes and delays on the guitars are very nicely tuned, and add a great deal of depth to simple melodies. This album is best listened to when perfectly at peace, so you can let each song take its full effect. Other key tracks include "Six Days at the Bottom", and "Your Hand in Mine", though there are no fillers on this album, just five nuggets of brilliance.

To conclude, This is THE album for anyone who is beginning to explore post-rock. It is a MUST have for all fans of the genre, and highly recommended to all fans of progressive music.