A SHELTER IN THE DESERT

In someway the structure of the tracks have the same bases, therefore they can become predictable in that regard, which also means some kind of expressive limitations as far as experimenting and daring music composition goes, opposite to Porcupine Tree´s style which was and is, if still on, one of their greatest assets.

The extended use of acoustic keys sure is welcomed as they usually deliver interesting melody lines. The mandolin like electric guitar, even though quiet ingenious, can become, by abuse, also quiet predictable. Hats off to drum player Alex Rodríguez who keeps on with creativity his role in this kind of "Hymns of Exaltation" like compositions.

There are some fabulous sections and the same a couple of astounding tracks, which if anything point out clearly that A SHELTER IN THE DESERT, is surely a band to keep track of, as this "Pequenas Hiroshimas", 2015, clearly shows out.

As for now, a very a good effort worth listening to.

***3.5 PA stars.

Sometimes the most beautiful things are in front of us and we simply don't realise about it, but well, things come when they have to, when it is time to receive them with open arms. I start saying this, because from the last year to these days I have realised that in my country, Mexico, the post-rock scene is amazing with some wonderful and talented bands whose music is kept in hidden places instead of being spread worldwide which is why I am trying to put my grain of sand and help these bands' music reach new listeners.

One of these mexican bands is A Shelter in the Desert, a band that some years ago played in Europe and I was not aware of that, shame on me, but well, now that I have discovered, listened to their albums and seen them live, I can say that nowadays they are my favorite mexican post-rock band and one of the 10 post rock bands from the world I listen the most. Why? Simple, their music has caught me completely, my senses, mind and soul break down while listening to them, putting myself in a state of bliss and grace, surrounded by countless emotions that float in space while every minute of their music sounds. I like a lot their debut album Maze of Memories but this one, Pequeñas Hiroshimas from 2015 made me fall in love at first sight (listen).

This album offers 5 tracks and over 35 minutes of beautiful instrumental music in which your soul will be taken to another state, the band has managed to compose first-class post rock when one can easily realise the member's talent and capacity to offer intelligent songs in a rollercoaester of emotions, in which they go from slow and atmospheric passages to powerful, emotional and disarming moments. An example of this is the amazgin starting song "Otra explosión se avecina", which perfectly works as an introductory track of A Shelter in the Desert's new album.

Soft and delicate piano creates wonderful atmospheres while little by little, guitars begin to build up figures and structures while bass and drums complement the music with an always accurate base. I adore the post-rock realm because its emotional essence really touches my soul, no matter the circumstances that surround my life, listening to this music makes me feel better, comfortable and alive, something that could be contradictory because of the melancholic and even sad parts that this music creates. In the end, music is always a healer, just as the title of the last song of this album reflects.

My favorite song since the very first time I listened to it is "Y dormir, por primera vez, con el alma al lado", my god, what a feast of emotions, sometimes it is enough to close one's eyes and let the music do the rest, you will have a lot of images in your mind, memories, plans, wishes, I don't know, but it is an enchanting excercise that I will always love listening to. These are truly gifted guys because they know how to make good compositions, musically speaking, but also because they know how to reach the listeners' souls, and that is not an easy job.

There are no weak tracks here, all of them are great but one always chose a song over other just as I did with Y dormir? which I chose as my favorite, but reading some other reviews or talking with friends, songs such as "La vida no tiene cura" or the mighty "Healer" are commonly chosen as people's favorites. So, due to this is almost flawless, I would encouragesly recommend this album to any person who loves the post-rock genre, believe me, you will find here pure beauty and that genre greatly represented by a quintet of mexican musicians. So please, go to their bandcamp site, listen-download-buy the album which by the way, has been just released also on CD and LP, and it is worth having.

Enjoy it!