THE TRIAL OF ST. ORANGE

Shalabi effect are one of the more obscure groups from the Toronto post-rock scene which spawned the likes of Godspeed You Black Emperor, A Silver Mt. Zion and Do Make Say Think. Led by Sam Shalabi, on The Trial of St Orange they offer a unique take on post-rock by applying its general recording principles not to capturing the sort of rubble-strewn post-apocalyptic landscapes Godspeed albums always make me think of, but to a contemplation of natural beauty and to the incorporation of world music influences into the post-rock landscape. At points I'm put in mind of the sort of long hypnotic instrumental workouts much beloved by the Indo-Prog and Raga Rock bands of the past.

Perhaps a little New Agey for some tastes, but this benign, beautiful and soothing take on post- rock offers a nice counterpoint to the marvellous doom and gloom of Godspeed or Silver Mt Zion.