The web magazine Silent Ballet and the Lost Children netlabel has developed an unique project of web album anthologies showcasing post-rock bands. The first two are now available and they present a variety of instrumental rock bands playing atmospheric and thought provoking music.
The two Silent Ballet compilations features a total of 22 artists from a variety of independent labels, all playing music in the post-rock style that encompasses intense guitar lines, a hypnotic and sometimes droning sound, and a focus on musicianship that tends to art rather than pop. To a certain point this creates a sameness in sound especially as you listen to these two albums nonstop. Nonetheless, the artists exhibit an immense amount of skill and knowledge in their chosen genre. Volume 1 has a number of bands that captured my interest including Caspian, Neil on Impression, Foxhole (who exhibits a uncanny Tortoise-like ability to fuse rock and jazz), and an industrial sounding Once We Were. Also notable is Yndi Halda’s “We Flood Empty Lakes” with its hypnotic melody accented by blips and bleeps plus “Calneva Drive” by Theta Naught with its cello driven drone and nicely building tension.
Volume 2 continues with eleven more fine post-rock artists. Magyar Posse starts with “Intercontinental Hustle”, a seven minute overture of cinematic proportions. The Ascent of Everest features the only vocal of the collection but it barely whispers and is best seen as just one part of a haunting collage. All Angel Gone’s “(Stephen H.)” is an atypically pastorale track of strings and piano. Other outstanding contributions are by From The Sky, Atlantis, Gifts From Enola, and Capulet with a 10 minute epic closer.
All tracks from Volume one are is in 256kbps MP3 while Volume two is in 192kbps. As you find artists you enjoy, check out their websites and consider purchasing their CDs. In other words, enjoy the music? Support the artist!
Download
The Silent Ballet: Volume 1
The Silent Ballet: Volume 2