Caspian / Constants - Split 7"
Rating
RIYL
You Are the ConductorIsis
Cult of Luna
Tracklist
CASPIAN - La CervaCONSTANTS - ...Passage
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As my live review of Caspian and Constants attests, I’m in awe of these nonpareil post-rock outfits that hail from Massachusetts. Part of what made the show I attended so special was the chance to experience music from the band’s respective upcoming full-lengths in its inchoate yet thrilling stages.
To whet the proverbial appetite for tuneage from two of post-rock’s most exciting acts, Radar Recordings — the label co-owned by Constants frontman Will Benoit — released a 7’’ split containing one track from each band’s forthcoming release. Both tracks are bangers in no need of mash, the effort from Caspian particularly engaging because the band’s decision to “just let it rip and let it stay as dirty as possible.” Constants’ contribution marks their first recording with new drummer Rob Motes (ex Coma Recovery); replacing the off-kilter creativity and power of Ducan Rich being no easy task.
Drowning the Post
Caspian’s “La Cerva” commences the record, and despite the portentous aura of its initial tremolo, the listener doesn’t anticipate the track’s trajectory… or the way, unlike most post-rock staples, this number belies a trajectory by just going about its business, grooving, ripping, kickin’ ass; it’s like an extended version of You Are the Conductor’s opener “Quovis.” After some research, I’m still unsure what “cerva” means, but the mood of the song is definitely marine, and the consistent pace conveys the sensation of being bobbed amongst and by billows, spume enlacing the eyes and ears. Despite the minor key befitting the setting, there’s also a sense of jubilation at the freedom exuded by the track; the autonomy of submission perhaps to the sea’s command and the need to jettison the mandates of post-rock and just… rock.
Layne Staley Fronts Isis
Beginning predictably beautifully enough with production from Will Benoit, Constants’ “…Passage” is also interesting in the way it departs slightly from the post/space-rock the band purveys: when Jon Hassel's vocals enter, one is somehow reminded of Layne Staley. Musically Constants has always echoed the lumbering, exhausted feel of Isis, while managing to conjoin this to the dexterity of Maserati and on The Murder of Tom Fitzgerril Benoit’s singing was analogous to Aaron Turner’s buried screams on Panopticon. Here, however, Hassel's delivery has more of a presence, and, while a bit unexpected, it certainly is a welcome change. So now that Layne Staley has returned from the dead to supplant Turner, we have quite the amazing composition: the track is easily the most canorous of the band’s career and the main instrumental theme has to be heard to believe. Towards the end of the second verse when aforesaid theme concludes, there’s a transition from hulking mass to transcendent thrashing that makes me go apeshit every time. Finally, following a ghostly lull, an absolutely crushing riff surfaces somehow beneath the weight of itself and bleeds the track to its last.
Bottom line: I guarantee any fan of Caspian or post-rock in general will love “La Cerva”, an excellent track that makes me hunger for more blazing Caspian. Still, it’s perhaps the subtler “…Passage” with its grunge vocals that should sway any casual fan or non record player owner — like me — into purchasing this 7’’. Not only do you get the mp3s, you can’t afford to wait for the full-lengths to experience these gems, and the artwork is gorgeous.
--Stephen Chamberlain
Comments
Manchester, England
Minnesota
would love this album
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Peep it yo.
It's blowin' cool outside today...
Leeds, England
Caspian track sounds like an out-take left off of The Four Trees. It's nothing terrible, but it's nothing mindblowing either.
Constants was better, but again, nothing earth-shattering.
Los Angeles
postrockpaperscissors
Manchester, England
Leeds, England
Lol. Stephen may become the Alex Davies of post-rock.
How's the Lydia review coming along?
Manchester, England
just because its post rock doesnt mean its different, unique, and/or good
stop overrating this trash
Los Angeles
postrockpaperscissors
Los Angeles
Please, let the world know. What are YOU currently listening to that is at all relevant to the musical scene?
How can you honestly call an entire genre trash? That's just pretentious.
This release may not be a 5, but come on.
I think this guy/girl is still stuck on "Appetite for Destruction" according to his/her name.
there is a lot of shit post-rock out there. i think Constants and Caspian do it right. there are a lot of other bands *cough*This Will Destroy You*cough* who should just get the Explosions in the Sky dick out their mouths.
Leeds, England
Los Angeles
it's like saying all hardcore bands sound the... oh.
postrockpaperscissors
So that means you like it.
It's blowin' cool outside today...
I agree.
It's blowin' cool outside today...
NY/PA
Wait, they don't?
We all know Caspian are huge Fall Out Boy fans anyway.
Manchester, England
Whats pretentious is this music.
This "post rock" bullshit is music for elitists, by elitists. I'm sure there are some nice, good bands in the genre out there, but the majority are snobby faggots who think they're good because they write "LONG DEEP SONGZ." And the elitists try to be cool and eat it up, even though the music is boring dreck. Just look at the fucking bias on this site towards nearly every post rock release... all get 4.5 stars or higher, and I've listened to most of them and its just garbage. Pathetic.
Not that its any of your business, but I'm currently listening to Sage Francis and Heaven Shall Burn.
Manchester, England
not about the bias. about the fact that its boring. we ain't bias towards post rock. read my reviews.
Los Angeles
postrockpaperscissors
Manchester, England
Los Angeles
postrockpaperscissors