YOU, YOU'RE A HISTORY IN RUST

Imagine how shocked I was to find You, You're A History In Rust in an underground record store here in town three days before its release! It was the only Do Make Say Think album they carried, and it wasn't very easy to find. Still, by pure luck and timing, I happened open my favorite post-rock band's latest recording before it was released! I immediately gave the CD a spin when I got home, and I was floored by it.

First off, I better mention the packaging. The album artwork is just beautiful - and it really works to establish the mood for the album. Secondly, it must be said that Rust is a pretty complete departure from the band's previous body of work. It becomes suddenly apparent that this record will be grounded in acoustic guitars. There's even a trace of banjo on some songs! This truly is a rust-tinted piece of music, and it's just dripping with nostalgia and memories of summer days. Despite the newfound interest in acoustic guitars, the sound of the album will be fairly familiar to fans of the band. It's playful, but powerful. It's atmospheric, but it's not boring. Most importantly, it's an experience.

The opener, "Bound To Be That Way" announces its presence with some soft horns and melodic strums of the guitar. Already the atmosphere of the album is pouring in. The track quickly establishes itself with strong percussion and competent electric guitars - but there's something different. A banjo and an acoustic guitar make themselves noticed throughout, solidifying the song as one of the best in their catalogue. "A With Living" follows, opening with steady rhythm and rough and haunting vocals. It's no secret that Rust contains vocals, and they're used to great effect here. The song fades away over brass and sweeping choral sighs.

Unfortunately, "The Universe!" comes flying out of the gates with a charging electric guitar and completely halts the slowly building momentum of the album. The shame is that it's a great song, but it just doesn't belong at this point in the record. Thankfully, the track dissolves into strings, allowing the album to return to where it had left off. The weakest song on the album is followed by my favorite song - "A Tender History In Rust." At first it sounds like an atmospheric track, with samples and humming creating a hefty droan. Then there's laughter, and an acoustic guitar softly breaks out. It's a triumphant moment, leading into the warmest song on the album - full of whistling, hums, and tender horns.

"Herstory Of Glory" kicks off with understated drums, and then rumbles on with a thundering bassline and flourishes of guitar. "You, You're Awesome" is the shortest song on the album, and is mostly acoustic. It contains slide guitar that defines the song, but it's fairly mellow. The penultimate "Executioner Blues" is the most reminiscent of DMST's previous work - reminding me of a more aggressive and radiant "Reitschule," but with a more rusty tone and some nice piano.

The finale, "In Mind" also features vocals, although heavily distorted. The lyrics are curiously found in the CD-case after the acknowledgements. It sounds nothing like anything else Do Make Say Think have recorded, but it's very fitting to Rust. It's a beautiful finish to this album - with banjo and acoustic guitar plucking on beneath some layers of ambient noise and horns. You, You're A History In Rust is a very good album, with very few missteps. Who would have thought that a golden, acoustic based sound would work with this band?