Special Others - Quest (2008)

The sixth release from jazzy Japanese rock quartet Special Others, Quest sounds like what you'd hear if the math rock mafia hijacked your local smooth jazz station. This record isn't abrasive, but it's far from timid. When it comes to length, only two of the ten songs fall under the six minute mark, but this album never drags its feet for a second. A mix of Japanese and English vocals compliment the songs, but make no effort to be the main vocal point of the music, instead providing a layer that fits in perfect harmony with the rest of the instruments. There are definitely points on here that give off a This Town Needs Guns vibe, most noticeably in the album's title track. Jazz is not the enemy, boys and girls, and don't worry, I'm not saying that you have to dive into the genre as a whole, nor am I implying that this record will make you yearn for afternoons filled with freeform jazz. What I am saying is that you are better off having lived a life that included listening to these ten songs.

For fans of: American Football, This Town Needs Guns, Your Song is Good

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On!Air!Library! - On!Air!Library! (2004)

This is the only full-length release from New York City's three-piece experimental outfit On!Air!Library!, and what a release it is. Between gaining a bit more exposure by releasing a split with The Album Leaf and going on tour with Interpol, twin sisters Claudia and Alley Deheza and Philip Wann recorded this gem of a record. This is one of the few choice albums that the listener can just let play from beginning to end. No skipping tracks 'round these parts, sir! Nine tracks of shoegaze-y vocals over semi-regular glitches and resonating melodies do a body good.

For fans of: School of Seven Bells, The Album Leaf, Ester Drang

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The Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band - Born into Trouble as the Sparks Fly Upward (2001)

2001 was a year of changes. After the release of their critically acclaimed debut, He Has Left Us Alone but Shafts of Light Sometimes Grace the Corner of Our Rooms, A Silver Mt. Zion expanded their lineup from three to six members, and expanded their name to The Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band. Retaining the somber influence of both earlier GY!BE releases and the new sound created in their first album and adds something completely new to the mix, both dreadfully obvious on some parts and also gently subtle on other parts of the record. The combination of spoken word and slow, ambient melody reach a peak on the track "Built Then Burnt [Hurrah! Hurrah!]" when the childish voice reminiscent of an old Adventures in Odyssey radio program exclaims, "So tangle, oh tangle us up in bright red ribbons! Let's have a parade! It's been so long since we've had a parade... Let's invite all our friends and all our friends' friends! Let's promenade down the boulevards with terrific pride and light in our eyes! Twelve feet tall and staggering, sick with joy with the angels there and light in our eyes!" This one's sure to stir up something inside you, just you listen and see.

For fans of: Fly Pan Am, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Johnnytwentythree

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Do Make Say Think - Winter Hymn Country Hymn Secret Hymn (2003)

Everyone knows that Canada's chief exports are hockey, mainstream actors, maple syrup, and funny names for ham. What you probably don't know is that their BEST export is instrumental music. While more upbeat than the likes of post-rock greats Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Do Make Say Think's fourth studio effort "Winter Hymn Country Hymn Secret Hymn" packs all of the emotion into their melodies. Jazzy drums and bass guitar prominence carry this record into our ears and continues on down into our hearts.

P.S. After my first time listening, I had the album's opening track "Fredericia" stuck in my head for weeks.

P.P.S. That's not a bad thing.

For fans of: Explosions in the Sky, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Johnnytwentythree

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Sigur Ros - Live At Musuem of Modern Art

SigusRos Live at @MoMA from Martin Alonso on Vimeo.

From Monument to Masses – The Impossible Leap in One Hundred Simple Steps

Some of the best Post-Rock/Instrumental stuff I've ever heard! So enjoyable, not a boring moment. It's perfect mood/work music. So good!

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This Will Destroy You - This Will Destroy You

New album from ambient, post rock band "This Will Destroy You" - Ive only heard a little bit of this but its quite good and I enjoy this band very much. Very powerful stuff.


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Caspian - You Are The Conductor

For fans of Mogwai and Explosions in The Sky - Fans of post rocks stuff def check it out, standard but no less epic.

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Russian Circles - Enter

One of my favorite instrumental albums of all time. Ex-Dakota/Dakota members (another great band) formed Russian Circles and have toured with Daughters and Tool recently. They really keep it interesting.. No boring atmosphere/minimalistic moments here, just awesome post rock musicianship.

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Mogwai - Government Commissions BBC Sessions 1996-2003 (Live)

Personally my favorite Mogwai disc, includes some of their best stuff (live)- really well done, a must for any Mogwai/post rock music fan.

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