Rachel's (for Post Rock)

I found them suggested to PA as early as in 2006, but nothing came out of it.

To me Rachel's, formed in Louisville, 1991- are one of those groups with an almost flawless discography. Although occasionally experimental and dissonant, on their two first albums (Handwriting (1995)* and Music for Egon Schiele (1996)) they are almost purely an chamber music/modern classical ensemble. Both warmly reccomended, and I think many of you will love them just as much as what came after. But neither albums are the reason I'm suggesting them for PA-inclusion.

However their two next albums The Sea and the Bells (also 1996) and perhaps even more Selenography (1999), begins what makes them highly relevant for Prog Archives. There's more frequent use of percussion, guitars and bass, and that immediately make the same music (pretty much) as before more "chamber rock". They could fit in Avant/RIO as well, but when they do "rock out" a little, they got more in common with other post-rock chamber music - than Univers Zero. 

In the early 2000's they add more electronic elements to their music (not that unlike Tortoise' approach), and get slightly more experimental too. Or maybe not more experimental, but they do play around more with sounds and atmospheres...

I love the beautiful Systems / Layers (2003) - a commissioned piece for the Saratoga International Theater Institute ensemble - too. But it's got that typical soundtrack-feel (although this one's for the stage), where many of the pieces are short and underdeveloped themes - rather than fully fledged songs.

Also their two long EP's: a Rachel's / Matmos  collaboration titled Full on Night (2000) + Significant Others (2002) and Technology Is Killing Music (2006) are all progressive in one way or another, but I've only listened to all three for the first time today on Bandcamp. Where you'll find everything they ever released.

*edit: I relistened to Handwriting and it's quite far from how I remembered it. It's very much "chamber/Post-Rock. A less sophisticated, more simplistic version of what was to come. Still not bad at all. Quite enjoyable really, but I think they got better.

Trying to get your attention here promoting this relatively well known, pioneering and highly influential Post-Rock band - that GY!BE simply must have been inspired by. -Here's another fine tune. The opening track from their third album The Sea and the Bells (1996). 

Look, even Wikipedia the free encylopedia agrees that Rachel's were Post-Rock.

  

There are more bands that are accepted than rejected, so it's not backwards. 

Just compile some info on the band, where are they from, what do they sound like, similar artists. It does not even have to be long. 

edit: your opening post is helpful, it's all fine. 

Yep, I tried way back.  Hope they make it this time.

Seems they were rejected about 12 years ago

I understand why they have been rejected previously.

"Selenography" is a wonderful creation, my love. But I don't feel enough of progressive rock but neo-classical ambience via this opus. A great album nonetheless.

At any rate, the eval result by the older members cannot be reversed without any new release after that. Sorry.

I know you guys are not to blame, but that sucks. Back in the days it could be quite random what albums you managed to get a hold of/listen to for evaluation as well. 

In my opinion Rachel's were an essential Post Rock band, and without them a part of the formative story is lacking. Parts of Handwriting, The Sea and the Bells (ranked 16th on Fact Magazine's "The 30 best post-rock albums of all time") is basically the birth and building blocks of what was to become the sound associated with Post Rock. Selenography is perhaps the icing on the cake. You'll hardly find a place online that doesn't use the term Post Rock about Rachel's.

-Anyway, I'm glad I didn't start writing their bio. It's extra timeconsuming as english is not my native language.