DEEP POLITICS

Grails has an extremely unique sound. Completely instrumental, it's a mix of space rock, psychedelic rock, post-rock, folk, and a hodgepodge of other influences. That sound loans itself to the latest release from the band, Deep Politics. It's been three years since their last two albums and four since the epic Burning Off Impurities (In this time, however, the excellent Black Tar Prophecies Vol. IV has been released...) I have only heard some of their last two efforts and they don't compare to this or BOI that much. The sound on this album is very different from Burning Off Impurities, but it still resembles a Grails album.

The beginning really shows off the spacey side of Grails. "Future Primitive" features airy synths and lazing guitars, both acoustic and electric. There are some interesting string sounds on here (do not know if they're synthesized or not). It has a latent Arabic feeling to it, especially in the violin sounds. The band doesn't skip a beat in the introduction to this album. 5/5

"All the Colors of the Dark" has some freaky piano beats. This song sounds like spelunking into the schizophrenic psyche. Dark and brooding sounds dominate the track. Grails manages to keep the momentum of the previous song going. 5/5

"Corridors of Power" plays with a synth and flute melody to a drum track, with some subtle percussion. Partway through the track, it gets a slight vocal-y track. It's a pretty good song, but not a standout on the album. 3/5

The title track "Deep Politics" fools around with a meaningful piano track and some mellow strings. The guitar sounds distant, as if it is calling for you but you can't move. Things suddenly become more real when the drums enter. The ending of the track is frantic and explosive. 5/5

"Daughters of Bilitis" is another psychotic-reminiscent song. The constant drumbeat and electric piano is undermined by angry guitar and strings. It's a very creative track, but not as good as most of the others. 4/5

"Almost Grew My Hair" is one of those songs we listen for. Without songs like this, there would be no point in looking for music. The intro is played on twin acoustic-electric guitars, and some choir synths. This song is like an amazing mix of Burning Off Impurities Grails with some slight Symphonic Prog influences. Grails has returned to making driving songs. That is essentially the best thing to describe Grails as, music to drive your car to. And the places you will go to this kind of music. The sound is so full on this song. Halfway through the track there's a great segue to a section that is brooding like the rest of the album but keeps that driving feel. This song is as close to perfection as you can get. 5/5

Oh, no, they had an awesome track, now the rest is going to be horrible! No, this is not your standard band, this is Grails. The next track, "I Led Three Lives", is not driving music like the last one, but is still a definite high point in the album. Again, the sound is very full. The instruments gradually build to a great crescendo. My god, what a crescendo it is. They should rename it a Grailschendo. It gives the feeling of being in some giant city in the future, kind of like a Samurai Jack-type story. This band really knows how to paint a picture. 5/5

We've come to the end. This fantastic journey has brought us here, to "Deep Snow". It starts off very well, with a quiet acoustic guitar piece. This little infant of music comes out of its egg, though, and gets some major energy. The picture you get when listening to this song is that of lying out in the stars at night and watching the moon drift across the sky, when, suddenly, you start to fly off and into the depths of space. 5/5

This is one of Grails' best efforts to date and will be pretty hard to beat for album of the year. It just goes to show what a little break from the studio can do. I highly recommend this album to anyone and everyone. Just listen with an open mind and consider the imagery the song is trying to convey. I guarantee you'll come back to it. Try listening to it in the car, though. It will make even the most mediocre ride better.