TRAVELS IN CONSTANTS (VOL. 21): THE RESCUE

This album can be downloaded in its entirety off of Explosions In The Sky's official website, which was how I acquired it, and also developed a deep love for the band. The music showcased on this EP displays some more experimental qualities of the band, nearly bordering on new-age during some of the quieter tracks. Almost all of the songs have a dream-like quality, and are launchpads for thoughts.

For those who don't know, this was recorded over the course of eight days, with the band not having done any writing before. There's an adventurous spirit captured by several of the tracks. "Day 1" is probably the most familiar of all the songs, and has a great guitar sound. The vocals on the second track create a desparate feeling at first, but upon their second appearance they almost sound celabratory to me. "Day 2" cycles between emotions in under four minutes.

That's another thing to be noted about this album, the length. The EP is barely over thirty minutes, which lends it an excellent replay value, like Nick Drake's 'Pink Moon.' The uneasy segment "Day 3" wouldn't be out of place as a piece of a Godspeed work. It does wonders to build up atmosphere, which is supplemented in each track with echoey background guitars, and sparkling synth notes. "Day 4" overlaps upon itself over a simple rhythm and explodes into moments of joy.

I really dig the drumbeats on many of the songs on the album, they're all exciting and fresh. The piano on "Day 5" is wonderful, and builds around the same theme. "Day 7" is probably my favorite track, it begins with a rumbling bass drum, that slowly trudges along as it picks up pristine guitar and delighted piano. Tambourines and vocals pick up around the delicate, icy sound. The song is beautiful, and is perfect during winter.