AWmusic

After a very well-received debut record, Followed By Ghosts have released their second, Dear Monsters, Be Patient. The band (who are surprisingly still unsigned?!) hail from Iowa and are self-professed the “loudest band in the midwest” according to their MySpace. I don’t really know the scene in the Midwest to be honest, but loud, I can definitely agree. Dear Monsters, Be Patient is a surprisingly good album, and while fulfilling elements of post-rock I would’ve complained about last week (which I did; I’m sorry), it is refreshing and in ways inspirational.

Their style is very much in the same vein as Caspian and Explosions in the Sky, in that the music is uplifting and engages the listener into some sort of transcendental state of mind. The music is driven by guitar melodies, backed with more guitar melodies and chords, with subtle hints of synthesizers and piano, sometimes even tinkling bells and strings. The entire album is very consistent and set up very well, allowing for no breaks between songs so that it tricks you into thinking the entire album is one mighty long track. While each track is fairly short for a post-rock/instrumental album, Followed By Ghosts make up for it by composing fluid tracks that seem to come naturally than being intricately thought out, weaving through each other well. While the record does partake in the quiet-loud progression, the band fulfills this genuinely and seamlessly, and at times, at unexpected moments.

The album starts off with chirping birds and an ethereal-like tone gathered by unnerving synths and brooding guitar melodies in “5:52 A.M.” By the minute mark of the second track, “Dear Monsters,” the tone is completely changed with distorted and heavy guitar chords, creating epic and powerful imagery and character, backed with militaristic drums and then birdy sounds. Followed By Ghosts know how to completely change the mood of the album without making it too obvious or too cheesy. On their own, some tracks are very dark (“Showdown at High Noon,” “Riga”) and others are fairly mellow (“Discussion Among Men”).

“Riga” is probably by far my favourite track of the album. While it does use a build up, it is so engaging you barely realize they’re just using another “post-rock” spell. It is dark and brooding without trying to be, really, and I think that may be the beauty of it. It especially stands out during the climax when horns are added to the repertoire as the melody—absolutely epic.

The production quality of this album probably isn’t the best, but I can definitely stand to let it go, considering the really awesome music. There are times when you can hear unfiltered noise when instruments are layered, but if you use your reticular activating system in context, it won’t bother you. It’s probably easier to maintain that the noises are part of the instrumentation in post-rock anyway.

In close, this is a fantastic album, and one I would recommend to those getting into the genre. It conveys what post-rock is in general, but has its own zing to it that makes it unique and delectable. One of the refreshing post-rock albums of this year, to be sure.

MP3s:
Followed By Ghosts – Riga

Followed By Ghosts – Discussion Among Men