D. I. GO POP

While my favourite year for Post Rock is easily 2005 with the many 5 star releases, I have to say that 1994 may be the most significant year for that style of music. A lot of people feel that TALK TALK are the Grandfathers of Post Rock, the way they changed to a more experimental style with those final two albums released in 1988 and 1991. And on top of that when that band broke up, two of the members formed O RANG who would release their first album "Herd Of Instinct" in 1994. BARK PSYCHOSIS also released their debut album "Hex" in 1994. GODSPEED YOU! BLACK EMPEROR released their first EP in 1994. And of course, the best of them all DISCO INFERNO released "D.I. Go Pop"also in 1994

So O Rang, DISCO INFERNO and BARK PSYCHOSIS all from the UK get this new sub- genre rolling in 1994. And while "D.I. Go Pop" was not their debut, it would be their first Post Rock record and second overall. Also it's interesting that DISCO INFERNO started out as a four piece, but their keyboardist left them before their first studio album was released in 1991 to join BARK PSYCHOSIS, and his addition apparently improved the band ten fold. I must admit I prefer Post Rock as it developed, not the early stuff so much.

"D.I. Go Pop" is my favourite of all those early bands and albums I've already mentioned. It's the one that already has what I always refer to as Post Rock styled guitars. It's here already! Not on "Hex" or those last two TALK TALK albums, or "Herd Of Instinct". If it wasn't for the sub par production on here I'm rating this higher. We get eight tracks worth about 39 minutes. This is a cohesive record and it's experimental and adventerous. An enjoyable challenge every time.

I still get a kick out of the Post Rock styled guitars on the opener "In Sharky Water". I love when the sound kicks in each time. "New Clothes For The New World" is freaky and psychedelic sounding overall with distant vocals and determined bass. There is so much going on during the song "A Crash At Every Speed" but I would say the same thing about the closer "Footprints In Snow", and how about the noise and atmosphere during "Even The Sea Sides Against Us".

Love their name, the title of this album that could mean a couple of things, as well as the cover art. And more importantly the music is pretty great too.