NICE WINGS, ICARUS!

Violin dominated Post Rock. Quite original in their sounds to be honest. Because if there's something I seek in music, it's need to hear yet another new sound, experience new bands, yet within limits of dignity. Some projects/acts/artists are too "different" for my taste.

This is not true with NWI ! because not only that this music sounds new. That's the problem of most current Post Rock bands, they just sounds so same. Yes, some may sound interesting, some may be pleasant, but mostly, it's just kicking the same dead corpse over and over again. I'll be honest with you (and with myself by the way), I love it this way sometimes. But I feel that what I like and what I can rate well is what determines my reviewing judgment.

If you have about 5 minutes to "get into and quickly evaluate first sounds" and then the rest 35 minutes to finish this album, I can just recommend: "go for it". You can't lose, because even you dislike this style, you'll get few minutes of average music. And I can assure you, this is not common music, trust me in this.

4(+), maybe more, but I'm too tired to rate higher. And too undecided. And careful too.

Dynamically splendid, Nice Wings, Icarus! displays a tremendous degree of beauty and strength through their music. In seven intelligent instrumentals, this band incorporates guitars with varying levels of gain, steady bass and drumming, and a vibrant, if mostly forlorn violin. If anything, the band has their distinct sound fixed throughout, such that it becomes difficult to tell one piece from the next. That is of little concern, since most of the music here is inspired and inspiring. I am astounded and surprised at the level of emotion and restraint exhibited here.

"Morning Glory" Somber electric guitar and bittersweet violin create a stark, melancholic splendor, soon to be ransacked by overpowering guitar, drums, and bass.

"Those Who Built the Pyramids" Drums, guitar and violin create an inspiring and captivating piece. The heavier moments are decidedly powerful and yet not exactly in contrast to the feathery passages.

"I've Not Seen Any Angels, Just Emptiness" Dissonant and overbearing initially and occasionally, the third track is significantly weaker to my ears than the stellar first two. I don't feel like the passages transition well.

"Birth" Ghostly yet mechanical noise begins the album's longest piece. However, the fearsome atmosphere is allayed as heroic guitar and violin create a beautiful series of melodies. Heavily distorted guitars break through the poignancy occasionally, yet the flow remains uninterrupted.

"Across the Seas" One of the more initially intense pieces in the band's arsenal, this launches a hard-hitting chord progression. Unfortunately, the violin seems out of tune, and its tone just doesn't mesh with the rest of the band's sound in places. For a while, the band backs off and it is very calming, minimalistic listening, but that is merely the calm before the storm of distortion.

"Journey Back Home" The briefest piece is also uplifting and powerful, essentially distilling elements of what has come before- nothing new, but nothing bad.

"Eagle" With such a title, one would expect this final track to be a soaring and commanding finale, but it is not. It is a slow, brooding piece, fairly monotonous and in the vein of Porcupine Tree- a feeble way to end an otherwise spectacular album.