The post-rock band Explosions in the Sky has been currently touring. On Wednesday March 26th, they visited the Ogden Theatre, here in Denver CO. Opening for them was Lichens, Robert Lowe’s solo project. He plays bass and vocals for a band called 90 Day Men, yet Lichens has a different approach. He came on stage with very few items. A guitar, amp, microphone, a loop pedal (the most important), an e-bow, and water. With his skilled voice, Lowe was able to looped different sound he would make, improvising slightly. He would expel sounds similar to a pan flute, and then added birds in the background with his whistles to add a natural setting to the song. The song lasted nearly 25 minutes, with very climatic moments.
Of course, when E.I.T.S. came on stage, many people began to light up. A definitely good choice for a show like this one. Explosions In The Sky has been a band for nearly eight years, with very successful albums. They gained a lot of popularity with their soundtrack to the sports movie, Friday Night Lights. Rising in Texas definitely made their growth much easier. Introduced to their label by the band also instrumental band, The American Analog Set, they were quickly signed. Many people that I have discussed Explosions In The Sky with have agreed that very few bands could put so much emotion through just instrumental music. Before the show, I had not listened to this band very much. I was more interested in a quite similar band (also from Texas, of course) called This Will Destroy You. I highly recommend this band as well, but i must admit, Explosions In The Sky will capture you more. Using less synthetic instruments, E.I.T.S. captures a raw climax in their music. My personal favorite song of theirs “Your Hand in Mine” is one i recommend for everyone to listen.Click here to listen to Your Hand in Mine.
Some of you may not even be into post-rock at all. It took me several bands and patient listening to really get into it, but you will truly experience music in a totally different way. Give it a shot. And when Explosions come to your home town (check your dates here), grab some friends, and be prepared for one of the most brain-churning shows of your life.
Aren’t they just great live? I saw them in London in January (here is my review: http://blogagog.wordpress.com/2008/01/31/12/) and will see them again in May at the ATP festival - cannot wait!
I’d heard of This Will Destroy You before, but I’ll have to give them another go. Do you know Joy Wants Eternity? Quite good too, you can listen to their album on http://joywantseternity.com/music.php