LIFT YOUR SKINNY FISTS LIKE ANTENNAS TO HEAVEN

I bought album on the strength of its packaging, the band name and numerous rave reviews I had heard for them. It's a two disc set in a wonderfully pretentious (in the best sense of the word) cardboard sleeve. All of these things led me to believe I was holding something magical and unique. Well, after having listened to it many times, I think that the second adjective applies, but not the first.

If you're already familiar with post rock, you will have a good idea what to expect. GYBE mainly focus on created long, slow, drawn out textures of sound that build over the course of four twenty minute tracks. This is coupled with a number of spoken word passages that rest atop the background wash of sound. This is basically the description I was given of the band, and it sounds awesome doesn't it? Unfortunately, while the above is an accurate representation of the music, it is not nearly as good as it sounds.

All of the tracks are similar in structure and sound. I would be hard pressed to tell one from the other. Storm starts out nicely, with a brooding atmosphere that gradually builds. But after fifteen minutes of the same, formulaic builds and releases with no real changes of note, I find myself switching off mentally. By disc two I have fallen asleeep.

I am a fan of ambient music, so it seems strange that repetition and lack of direction would bother me, but I think the difference here is that "Lift Your Skinny Fists" doesn't present itself as an ambient album. It promises more, especially with the dramatic crescendos that lead nowhere. The music is well constructed and well produced from a technical standpoint, but it just doesn't do anything for me and I find it hopelessly tedious. If you are a fan of post-rock, however, you will probably like this album a great deal. Therefore, I'm giving it two stars.