Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 17:07:54 +0100 From: David Thorpe Subject: Two recent Kranky releases GODSPEED YOU BLACK EMPEROR! f#a#oo Kranky KRANK 027 In their own words, the title of this record means "regret, desire, fear and hope" and was "...made [here] in mile End [Montreal, Canada], at the almighty HOTEL2TANGO, where lonesome trains ramble thru the backyard while the wind plays in the trees...". If you get the feeling this is a bleak record, you are half-way towards its destination. Fortunately the extremely bleak outlook is counterbalanced by a transfixing, cinematic quality, much like something by <>. The three soundtracks of this album use disjointed doom-laden voices layered over guitars, violins, trumpets, accordion, xylophones to create a constantly evolving musical style. This creates the feeling that you're on an unsettling journey with no particular destination in mind, but you'll pass fragments of western, blues, post/prog-rock and Ligeti's <> along the way. On arrival, it may leave you feeling like a wet breeze block has hit you between the eyes, but it's a magnificent journey. Date: Fri, 4 Sep 1998 01:20:34 GMT From: patrick barnes Subject: Re: godspeed (non-4ad) All I can tell you is that I bought their new record and you should absolutely not miss their show. The record is outstanding. I really don't know how to describe the music, but it is definitely multi-genre, and very cinematic, even narrative in feel. You are lucky, make sure you post a review after the show. Date: Fri, 4 Sep 1998 09:25:36 GMT From: Steve Watts Subject: Re: godspeed (non-4ad) Lazzell, Bob wrote > can anyone tell me anything about Godspeed You Black Emperor? They > are coming to Philly in a few weeks and I was thinking about going > to see them. I've just picked up a copy of their LP 'f# a# infinity' and I'd recommend seeing 'em on the strength of that. It's a fairly bleak affair ('a soundtrack for urban decay' according to the publicity blurb) so if that's your sort of thing then give it a try. Somewhat reminscent of Rachel's, with lots of violins and a deep-voiced narrator describing scenes of death and destruction. Bits of it also reminded me of Pax brittanica-era Test Dept and the last Swans LP. There's no track listing on the sleeve (altho their web site does mention some track titles), it's more or less a continuous piece of music. Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1998 15:33:20 +0000 From: djt Subject: Top pop records of 1998 GODSPEED YOU BLACK EMPEROR! <> (Kranky) This might not strictly be a 1998 record since it was released in a different form in Canada previously, but Godspeed's debut album was released by Kranky this year and is a depressive, enigmatic gem. Full of doom-laden voices and four long progressive pieces of music, they have perfected the 'quiet-to-loud' song structure in the same way that Mogwai have perfected the 'quiet-loud-quiet' one, but with far more violins. Play it late at night and scare the neighbors. Date: Tue, 9 Feb 1999 02:06:16 EST From: Riouxs@aol.com Subject: Week 6 pre-orders from rioux's records. GODSPEED YOU BLACK EMPEROR - Slow Riot for New Zero ep 12" (Constellation) $14.00 DUE 2ND WEEK IN MARCH. "New release from Godspeed You Black Emperor. Two lengthy tracks, clocking in at 11 and 18 minutes respectively, of mesmerizing, drawn out minimalism. Comes in a foil-stamped cardstock jacket with printed sleeve." There will be a kranky version on CD only issued at the same time. GODSPEED YOU BLACK EMPEROR - Slow Riot for New Zero ep CD (kranky) $9.00 Absolutely massive ep. Very emotionally wrought, this is a stellar recording that melds w/ the previous _f#a#infinity_ perfectly. More post-apocalyptic symphonic plundering.