DAYCAST

I've sometimes wondered why so few of the reviewers I enjoy reading take time to review post-rock recordings. I personally find it one of the more difficult genres to write well about because while there is so much beauty in an album like this, it is so hard to explain why. It's hard to articulate subtle beauty. Emotion and subtlety take the place of any theatrics or fireworks. Florida based Daycast is yet another example, a young band who toiled very hard to release this exceptional recording, only to be largely ignored. The album is widely available on CD and download but googling them turned up just one short mention elsewhere. It must have been somewhat discouraging and it blows my mind frankly.

For "Finding Our Way Home" is a beautiful instrumental recording that, given the distribution they achieved, should have hailed high praise. Hopefully it did on some genre blogs that are just not turning up on searches. On the surface, on first listen, they may appear to be just another band mimicking the post-rock artists who have managed to break out to wider acclaim. But Daycast embrace a bit more rock and melody in their approach and the result is a band less relegated to background atmosphere, more active listening music, and one which fosters more emotional connection. Each track embodies somewhat the "typical" post-rock features of soaring climbs and swoons, build up and release, of shimmering backdrop. But Daycast has a solid bass/guitar edge with melodic lines, embellished by piano lines and strings, constructed with energy and a live feel. Probably because piano is used rather than cold electronic keys there is a warmer feeling. They control the breakouts for the most part but you can hear it dying to bust through at times and every so often that enthusiasm does. Listen to the gorgeous transition from a roaring guitar passage to strings and piano in "The Mid-Atlantic". From feelings of joy to sadness. "The Distant Speaks" lets the piano lead off with guitar to the rear, a mid paced meditation. Another highlight for me is the 10-minute "We called you ghost, you called us friend". Being a sucker for piano this was again right up my alley, slowly building, bright ringing chords over a warm bass, minimal percussion. It intensifies in heaviness and even speeds up to a frenetic clip. I really enjoyed the drumming on this album, it often projected more heaviness and personality than other post-rock bands, while again maintaining that control.

Perfect music for contemplation, driving, or laying in bed all day figuring out your next move in the world. I'm not sure if this band is still active but I hope they are, and I hope they get a chance to make another album. A beautiful album that I frequently found moving. A short refuge from the insanity out there. Home.