OTHER TRUTHS

Being a band that I've just been getting acquainted with for the last two months, I must confess that Canadian post-rock outfit Do Make Say Think has caused a very good impression on me ? their 2009 release "Other Truths" is a powerful indication of the sort of refreshment (or one of sundry possible sorts) that the post-rock genre needs to go on in a healthy state. Some fans and connoisseurs have praised this band as a current leader of the most recent developments in the post-rock area, and I clearly see their point. With a repertoire of four tracks that doesn't get to the 45 minute mark, "Do Make Say Think" makes an excellent statement of suggestive elaborations ? in some passages, similarities with Tortoise, Isis or the legendary Godspeed You Black Emperor! can be traced, but none of these references scares away the Muses that drive this ensemble's originality. The opening sequence of 'Do' brings a gentle mood of guitar, trumpet and sax, fluidly intertwined with an aim on the construction of the first main body, which happens to be dynamic and ethereal simultaneously. The agile rhythm section allows the whole instrumentation to convey contemplation and enthusiasm equally. Once this section ends, things shift toward a different landscape, one drawn with shades of languid density. At one point, some industrial ornaments settle in before the effective abrupt ending. A good starter, indeed, but there's still more room for exciting music, as 'Make' comes to show immediately after. 'Make' offers, at first, a slightly more constrained expressiveness, with a slower tempo bathed in jazzy cascades. Once the track gets to a climatic point, a melancholic intensity fills the room with a combination of brightness and grayness, preserving the climax in a solid manner. Once this continuing climax ends, the minimalistic coda arrives to wrap things up in a most spacey way. 'Say' starts on a repetitive note, as if stating the soundtrack to a scene in which a character is carefully leaving his hiding place. It won't be long before a controlled storm of rocking energy emerges in a polished alternation of suave nuances and powerful moods ? the dual guitars are focused on their usual business of faithfully complementing each other, and in this case, the sonic result is particularly captivating. The final section retakes the opening motif with an emphasized languidness, ultimately leading to a lovely choral arrangement. 'Think' ends the album with an exclusive focus on the eerie aspects that had already been present in 'Make' and 'Say', still reinforcing the jazzy element in the basic cadences. The litany character that this track seems to emphasize so purposely makes it perfect to complete the listening experience with a reflective intention ? a lovely way to finalize the experience with an album like this. In conclusion, DMST has delivered an excellent item for this year 2009.

While other Post-Rock bands are still trying to play Math-Rock, Metal or Electronica (or blend this altogether) to attract hipsters' attention and get a line in Pitchfork, genre's veterans from DO MAKE SAY THINK just do what they're good at: playing Music. Well-structured and composed, it has feelings and atmosphere, and these two factors are usually forgotten by numerous newbies of the genre. Who needs endless avantgarde experimentations, when you can't write a melody one can whistle along? Like fellow Canadians from BELL ORCHESTRE, DMST managed to release one of the most fresh-sounding and captivating albums of 2009 for a genre which is thought to be stagnant for at least recent 5 years. Bravo and recommended!

3.5 stars really

Latest album from the Toronto combo, one that comes with agreat urban artwork, and sees some brass players as guests. I don't know if it's recent or not, but McKenzie is not part of the line-up that remains otherwise uncjanged .Just four tracks on this album and funnily enough all for are named after the four words of the band's name. Not that the music behind each word of their ensemble's name will tell you more about their philosophy, because this was set a long time ago, with their debut album.

Musically, we're still very strongly in the realm of the Constellation?GYBE! soundscapes, but DMST does make it difference: some of these tracks are quite fast, they are also very brass-y and they're not depressive (even if I wouldn't go as far as saying that these guys make frivolous and happy tunes), so those alone should indeed. The music is still very ambient, made from slow build-ups and crescendoing until they reach a climax and slowly decrease. The major difference here is the brass instruments underlining some of the more dramatic moments but bringing an upbeat to the music. Nothing new under the sun; and this album won't stand out in your post rock shelves, like a Tortoise or a Tarentel album might