The Big Takeover
written by: Mike Pearlstein (Issue #55)
This is the process of lovin’ a post-rock record! That’s exactly what this eponymous release by the Still Lifer’s offer: glacial, melodic, impossible-to-dislike guitar instrumentals. Instrumentals with cymbal flourishes and well-implemented chord changes, all evoking some far away place enshrouded by fog. Sure, there’s plenty of bands still doing this post-Mogwai thing, but, how many of them have an entire album’s worth of beautiful tracks, sans experimental filler? Another group that should be scoring indie films. An amazing showing, considering that this is the band’s first album. Bottom line here is, if you dig on expertly played guitar music that cuts right to the gorgeousness, add this CD to your constant rotation pile. If you like Explosions In The Sky, Silver Mt. Zion, Mogwai, etc... This is a must own. The only thing that differentiates TIAPOASL from the other post-rock behemoths is their unwillingness to build and build until the inevitable guitar combustion freak out. This album inhabits a beautiful middle ground that never gets dull; They continue to amaze with the melodies they pull out of thin air.
