Saxon Shore - The Exquisite Death Of Saxon Shore

SAXON SHORE — The Exquisite Death Of Saxon Shore

The Post-rock album for impatient people?

As anyone that listens to post-rock will tell you that one of the key factor in appreciating bands from the genre is patience. Without it then it's pretty much impossible to enjoy it. A Sigur Ros song could bore you to tears or a Godspeed You! Black Emperor epic you'll be fast asleep even before a single note even gets played. This is one of the things that many people don't like about the genre, but there's still hope! Some bands just don't like to be quiet and other bands don't want you waiting for the good parts in their music. One of those bands is Saxon Shore.

Saxon Shore is what I would call the antidepressant of post-rock along with Yndi Halda (just look at their album title) and others since they make the most joyful post-rock I've heard. If A Silver Mt. Zion can get you depressed by the end of one album, antidepressant post-rock can get you out of the depression by the end of one song! It's still very emotional despite all the energy they have, but in a more optimistic way. Since they don't have any build-ups every song sound like a climax without the wait. There are still some songs that calms down the energy of the album like in "Silence Lends a Face to the Soul". It's a good song that adds some well needed balance to the energetic album without changing its optimistic mood. It's also accessible, not too complex and very melodic like most post-rock. Sadly their sound is too safe and it doesn't try to differ from their neighbors, but from what they lack in originality they make up for a great album. Their sound also has some bits and pieces of electronica which adds a nice little touch to their sound.

If you're looking for a post-rock band that isn't trying to bore you or doesn't test your patience then Saxon Shore is for you. If you're looking for the bright, powerful and charismatic side of post-rock then this band is also for you, but don't expect something original or different from the other bands. While there are still flaws they're doing music a bit more accessible for people who have trouble getting into the genre because of the slow nature of most of the bands.

Give it a try, it's pretty hard not to fall in love with it.

Posted Saturday, January 13, 2007, 16:41 EST | Permanent link

1. The Revolution Will Be Streaming (4:16)
2. This Shameless Moment (4:15)
3. With a Red Suit You Will Become a Man (3:37)
4. Silence Lends a Face to the Soul (4:40)
5. Isolated by the Secrets of Your Fellow Men (7:09)
6. The Shaping of a Helpless Joy (4:52)
7. Marked with the Knowledge (3:37)
8. A Greatness at the Cost of Goodness (5:48)
9. How We Conquered the Western World on Horseback (3:52)
10. The Lame Shall Enter First (6:30)

Total Time: 48:42

Line-up/Musicians

- Matt Doty / guitar, keyboards, programming
- Matt Stone / guitar, keyboards
- Steve Roessner / drums
- Oliver Chapoy / guitar, keyboards, programming
- Will Stichter / bass

Releases information

CD Burnt Toast Vinyl 70 (2005)
LP Burnt Toast Vinyl 70 (2006)