CITY OF ECHOES

Pelican are a well-established name in the Post-Metal field and a mandatory listen if you want to get acquainted with the genre. For skeptics of harsh vocals, the fact that this is instrumental music, might be an attractive prospect.

Pelican's main business is sludgy doom riffs, but it's the kind of riffs that evolve through the songs, varying in context and mood, growing louder, wilder and then back to quiet. When they quicken the pace the music gets a slight math-y feel for me, as on 'City of Echoes'. Also post-punk influences can be heard, as on the 8th note chorused bass riff in the same song. The songs are shorter then on your average post-metal album and they also sound more composed, going through distinct movements and themes. Halfway through the album I find my attention wane, the songs keep re-iterating the same ideas too much, and there's little in sound or hooks to distinguish them from one-another. Maybe the lack of vocals is somewhat problematic after all.

I have come to understand that this album isn't in the same vein as those that preceded. I'm not entirely satisfied but still my interest to hear more from this band is peaked. A good instrumental post-metal album but nothing exceptional. 3.5 stars