Even though Red Sparowes is a new project, they didn't have much difficulty making a name for themselves. Neurosis visual-effects man Josh Graham and Isis members Bryant Clifford Meyer and Jeff Caxide were members of the band at the time of recording. But if you weren't sold on the band based solely on its members previous projects, perhaps this description might help win you over. Back in the 90's, Earth released the album Sunn Amps and Smashed Guitars. That album title is a fair assessment of the music contained on At the Soundless Dawn.
On "Alone And Unaware, The Landscape Was Transformed In Front Of Our Eyes," we are immediately introduced to complex and intricate guitar tones interweaving to form a beautiful composition that would put the torchbearers of post-rock to shame. Though there are no actual vocals on the album, both Graham and Meyer are credited as contributing. How? They've heavily processed all vocal contributions adding yet another level to the thick layering of each composition. The lush guitars are further accented by Greg Burns use of pedal steel, and unique instrumentation choice. Over the course of the song, the music moves through moments of heavy distortion as well as ambiance before the song concludes with the chirping of sparrows.
Things keep moving with "Buildings Began To Stretch Wide Across The Sky, And The Air Filled With A Reddish Glow." Perhaps the standout point of this song is the display of bass playing skills. Normally, these talents are buried deep in the mix with bands of this genre, especially since they rely on heavily on distortion. The makeup of this track is much like it's predecessor. One thing that is impressive about Red Sparowes is that they have such a full sound. I would use the word heavy, but we all know that's limited to band's of the Slayer derivative.
Red Sparowes slightly alters the formula that they are working with on the next few songs. While they're still very much along the lines of post-rock, they are not nearly as intense as the preceding ones. The softer acts of the genre, Godspeed! You Black Emperor and The Burning Paris, spring to mind.
"A Brief Moment Of Clarity Broke Through The Deafening Hum, But It Was Too Late" stands out from the other compositions on At the Soundless Dawn. The song is comprised of much more playful tone as opposed to the emotions that evoked by bands playing this style. But what makes this song truly so important is the fact that is helps to break any monotony that had been forming. Plus, it's always nice to throw the listener a curveball.
The first half of "Our Happiest Days Slowly Began To Turn Into Dust" was rather dull and mediocre music stereotypical of the genre. But just as I was getting bored, the song switched up and I was met with fury of heavily distorted crunching guitar riffs while Dana Berkowitz pounded away at the drum kit. Portions of the song brought to mind material from Tool's Lateralus album.
The album's closer, "The Sixth Extinction Crept Up Slowly, Like The Sunlight Through The Shutters, As We Looked Back In Regret" tracks in around the 10 minute mark. Over the course of it's length, the song progresses from a fairly minimalist post-rock piece into a massive amalgamation of speeding out of control guitars, heavy hitting drumming, intricate bass notes, and a plethora of effect-laden vocals that have been morphed into swirling deafening noise.
One aspect that makes the music contained on the album so impressive is the fact that the vast majority of the album was recorded in a live setting. That is to say that all members in the band were performing as a band as opposed to the traditional manner in which each member records their contribution alone. This style has kind of fallen by the wayside, but occasionally you find a talented band willing to try their hand at it. Red Sparowes executed this flawlessly.
At the Soundless Dawn may not be a perfect album, but it does contain many moments that I would classify as musical perfection. On the other hand, there are also moments that are drawn out, in particular the continual use of segues over the course of the album. Given that this is the band's debut, I'm willing to bet that over the course of time Red Sparowes will continue to refine its sound, and in doing so better their songwriting skills. Oh, and on a personal note, if any of the band members read this, please take into consideration the idea of shortening the song titles.
