LIFT YOUR SKINNY FISTS LIKE ANTENNAS TO HEAVEN

After a year or two, and many listens I decide to review this album formally. This is one of those albums that shakes music to the core, and I am afraid that I can not do this album justice. I still don't think I can capture the pure power of this music in words, so for that fact I will try to keep it short. Also, I feel that is one of those album that needs to be discovered by the individual, so I will try to not give too much away with my words.

This fact bears repeating, this is one of those albums that should be listened to by any person that loves music (of which I have yet to only find three others that I say belong to that category). Godspeed...are a canadian nontet which have the power to move the soul in making of their music. (I often think that this album made me believe that you can say more with music then with lyrics). Dark, powerful, eerie, beautiful, melancholy...these are only a few adjective to describe the journey this album (and this band in general) take you on.

It all starts off with Storm, IMO the best track on the album. I personally like the second and last "parts" of this opus (and I find that "Cancer Towers..." is probably the most saddening sounds in all of music [at least that I've heard]). This track alone is enough to show the virtuisity of the band (which is not a word I hear with post rock all too often). Second up is Static. The words "sonic assult" were created for pieces like this one. This song is particular shows off their stellar use of cresendos, decresendos, dynamics, and many of the other essentials in the music world. (which all culminates in one powerful climax that must be heard to believe). Stunning. Third (or first on the second disc) would be Sleep. Starting off with a (somewhat) heartbreaking "speech", which is just the tip of the iceberg with this song. I find it amazing how much can be created by the music of this band (the emotion, the power, the jawdropping awe). This song would also near the top of my all time favorite GYBE! songs, and really needs to be discovered by the listener (perhaps it holds that quality of the most out of all these pieces). Exhillerating. Finally, comes Antennas To Heaven. Unfortunatly this is the weakest track here (I say unfortunatly only because it ends the album). Having said that there is still a lot to praise here, I just don't feel it can compare to the other works here (even in fields that include the fundamentals of music). But it does complete this awe inspiring trip.

All in all this album is essential. Even though it might take a couple of listens to completely "get", once it happens, look out. This album is also the perfect introduction to the genre of post rock (as it started me out and I can't move through it fast enough). I can only hope I captured something with my review. 5 stars without a doubt.