Review
Explosions in the Sky
Take Care, Take Care, Take Care

Explosions In The Sky proudly create post-rock music that, though sounding simple, is far from being simplistic. Consistency remains a key element in their vast, instrumental sound, comprised of atmospheric rhythms, lofty dynamics and the band’s ability to produce colorful, emotional soundscapes. Sonics aside, even the illustrious art works of each of their six studio album covers indicate the sort of imagination invoked by their music.

Take Care, Take Care, Take Care, the band’s sixth and most recent release, is made up of six tracks, all but one beneath the range of seven to ten minutes long. Overall, the album wholly represents a single, 46-minute journey. If pursued, Take Care employs the sort of power to explore one’s mind at ease, focusing only on tonal energy to command the mind. With this lies the capability to envision one’s own mosaic, constructed on the basis of individual perception. In other words, this album, as well as former EITS works, will be different for everyone. The mood, the theme, the aura revolve around what you feel.

There are moments of nostalgia, though, that reach into their back catalogue. Take the reminiscent arpeggios of album opener “Last Known Surroundings”, a swirling, noisy arrangement upon reaching its climax. The compositional techniques of guitarists Michael James and Munaf Rayani shine with ambience, while drummer Chris Hrasky lays rhythmic percussion and delivers a replica drum fill on the 4:50 mark, just like that of five and a half minutes into “The Birth and Death of Day” (also the opener to 2007’s All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone.) Let there be no doubt; this is a group who remain true to their signature style.

Take Care represents another well-crafted piece by a distinguishable group, notable in the realm of modern avant-garde rock. This is an album one could walk through woods to, play softly on vinyl while reading a book, relax and enjoy, or perhaps crank on a road trip. Its versatility in many environments will be what keeps this record at arms length, not so much there being a single good song you’d like to hear quick. And while they haven’t reinvented anything here, or even branched much for that matter, one can be sure of a fresh, invigorating experience.