THE PIRATE SHIP QUINTET

This EP was a nice little surprise in 2007. The Pirate Ship Quintet is a band from the UK and is actually made by seven members instead of five (like the name implies). Being from the UK and playing epic-sounding Post-Rock made many people draw comparison with another UK-based band, Yndi Halda. In reality both bands take different approaches in making Post-Rock. The most notable difference is in the line-up and the second one is in their sound. TPSQ has a more orchestral feel to their music while still having punchy crescendos and memorable guitar melodies, not to mention the lovely trumpet which is always a nice surprise in Post-Rock bands (bands should use it more often).

The three songs are all around the 10 minute mark and they're very different from each other. "Lost Science" is the romantic song of them all and it's perfectly introduced by Moo's trumpet (that's the trumpeter's name). "I Kina Spiser De Hund" is the rockiest of the bunch and starts off with a bang and the last minute of the song are very powerful. The haunting cello on top of the menacing climax makes it even tastier. "Pirate Ship" is the more traditional Post-Rock song and coincidentally the most powerful and emotionally moving of them all. The trumpet / cello crescendo and the climax are my most cherished moment on this release. And with that the EP ends at a high note and a smile on the listener's face.

If anything, TPSQ reminds more of the Italian band called "Neil on Impression". Their album called "The Perfect Tango" was released years before and it's, in my opinion, better. Still, The Pirate Ship Quintet delivered a wonderful set of songs that are very moving, enjoyable and nicely orchestrated. On its own, this album stands strong and it shows a band with great potential. Highly recommended!

Before checking them out the only thing I knew was that they're from England and their debut EP was mixed by CULT OF LUNA guys. Enough for you?

Well, there's nothing related to Sludgy Post-Metal Swedish CoL plays. TPSQ are instrumental, dark and epic as hell. I mean seriously - with pieces ranging from 8'45'' to 11'00'' you can't be called 'song- oriented' or whatever. Each track has those long-build-ups and mindblowing crescendoes any post- rocker adores, and this is where we have the main PRO for checking this band out: these things really work here. They're melodic, memorable, dramatic (yep, a truly Godspeedian vibe in each track!), long but never boring. Yet another Post-Rock band you say? If you dare to say that about YNDI HALDA, THE PIRATE SHIP QUINTET, NEIL ON IMPRESSION or JOHNNYTWENTYTHREE, I'm afraid I'll have to send my men to you. And they'll show you how to respect da real true Epic Post-Rock. Recommended, you ask? Yes!!!

The Pirate Ship Quintet has easily become one of my favorite Post Rock due to this incredible EP. To put it simple I couldn't find a single flaw within these 3 magnificent post rock epics. Not to say the least TPSQ really manages to create great atmosphere, with intensive and yet sometimes headbanging rhythms.

Each song has its own distinct sound starting in a crescendo manner except for I Kina Spiser the Hund which quickly kicks it off with intensity. There's not much to say about each song since there usually you're typical post rock songs but with a much distinct sound, something most post rock bands fail to do nowadays. I really couldn't tell which one I liked the most since I liked them all so much but if I had to pick one I'd go for I Kina Spiser the Hund.

In overall this EP could easily be a Post Rock masterpiece standing right beside the music of post-rock giants such as GY!BE, Sigur Rós , Explosions In The Sky, Yndi Halda and others. The Pirate Ship Quintet is indeed an amazing band with a bright future.