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[Jackie Blue]

I've heard a lot of post-rock fans rag on the Red Sparowes for being unoriginal and boring, so I never bothered to go out of my way to check them out since, when you get down to it, even as someone who loves the post-cock I generally only listen to the very very best, like Mono and Lift Yr Skinny Fists.

But lo!  I noticed that one of the recent concerts put up on www.fabchannel.com is a Red Sparowes show, so I listened to it (I didn't really "watch" it because I just kept it open in another tab).

Holy shit, it's good.  Are they just that much better live, or should I get the album after all?

[Patatat]

I've heard a lot of good things about them. Get the album.

Also, if you haven't already heard of them check out Russian Circles. Although, I am sure you have.

[hihowareyou]

I thought they were incredible live, but otherwise I've had little interest in further exploring their music. Fairly typical I'd say.

[Inlander]

That name is alarmingly reminiscent of the Black Crowes. That fact alone flashes up a big "DANGER! DANGER!" signal in my head.

[RyanT]

Is it just me, or is Explosions in the Sky one of the first bands that pops into your head when you hear post-rock?

[jeph]

EItS did a lot to popularize the guitar-driven, melodic postrock that is so prevalent these days. They're the Tortoise of the new millennium, for better or for worse.

I am sorry but Red Sparowes just bore me to tears on record. I could definitely see them being fun live, though. Pretty much anything sounds better played live at crushing volume (see also Bjork's new record).

[Jackie Blue]

No, the first things I think when I think "post-rock" are Tortoise and Slint.  EitS are like... third-wave.  They copped their sound largely from GY!BE and Mogwai.

One thing I certainly don't understand is why EitS seem to be one of the most popular post-rock bands.  I love them, but their latest album is somewhat boring and I'd say that Mono are doing the same thing much, much better.

What I really liked about the Red Sparowes concert on there is that it was a little broader in palette - slide guitar, bits of it even reminded me of old Metallica (in a good way).  I could see the album being boring only if they made bad choices in terms of production and execution.  If it sounds basically like the live show, I think I'd love it.

Take all this with the caveat that I only listen to post-rock as background music.  When my friends and I get together, we don't put on Young Team and rock mope out.  We generally end up getting drunk and watching The Last Waltz for the twentieth time or listening to Bruce Springsteen or Spacemen 3.  (Yes, I know it sounds weird.  We smoke a lot of dope, okay?)

[RyanT]

Yeah, I've got my fiar share of Tortoise, Godspeed, and Mogwai.  I was just wondering because nobody had mentioned Explosions and they're almost an automatic reaction for me (even though I know Tortoise should be). 

[Caspian]

What I think about Red Sparowes varies between "Damn, they suck so hard" and "Somewhat enjoyable". I have to admit the new album interested me a bit more, just because it seemed to be a fair bit more dynamic and interesting, and because most bits progressed a bit better. The first one I mostly listen to because of the sweet bass work.

[onewheelwizzard]

I just listened to something by Red Sparowes for the first time a couple days ago.  I've only just gotten into Mogwai and Godspeed within the last month or two (which is pretty strange considering how close they are to my general tastes) so I've been on a kick where all I want to listen to is 10-plus-minute songs built from one or two riffs that slowly rise and fall to deafening crescendos and inaudible quiet portions.  Red Sparowes, listened to with that in mind, were awesome.  I plan to listen to more of them at some point soon.

While I was listening to them, it occurred to me that it made perfect sense that people were calling them boring and derivative.  I intentionally banished the thought from my mind and they became a lot better.

Sometimes I feel like I should look at a post-rock band's name once and then forget it as soon as I put the CD on.  If it all blurs together, there's no judgment to be made and I can enjoy any given album for what it is rather than what it should be compared to whatever my favorite happens to be.

[TheFuriousWombat]

I have to agree with a lot of what's been said on here. I listen to a ton of post rock. It's pretty much all I listen to. Almost my entier ipod is full of the stuff. The way I see it, EitS are good but they are a bit derivative of Mogwai and GY!BE. Of course I guess Slint was one of the first but they are in a different category than those other bands I think. Mono is easily one of the best post rock bands out there right now. In fact they're one of the best ever. Both on album and live they are absolutely amazing and they are actually fairly original in a genre so full of derivative bands. When it comes to Red Sparowes, however, I can barely sit through one song. This is odd because I love drone. Tarentel's 'Big Black Square' is 45 minutes of recorded rainfall, lots of distortion, and some minimalist drumming and I love it. But anything by Red Sparowes bores me to death. I don't know why but I really can't stand them. Good thing there's so many bands out there making similar music but making it really well. Please, all fans of the genre, check out these bands if you haven't already:
Sweek
12Twelve
Bright Red Paper
Russian Circles (already mentioned)
If These Trees Could Talk

There's a lot more obviously but those are some of my current favorites.

[Patatat]

I am surprised no one has mentioned Pelican.

[Inlander]

Why is it that I'm the only person who ever mentions the Dirty Three whenever one of these post-rock threads pops up? They've been doing their thing for fifteen years, guys!!

[jeph]

Pelican are kind of weird because they started out super super heavy and have gotten more and more post-rock-ish with every release.

Which isn't to say they're not good, I like them a lot, but I do kind of prefer their more metal-influenced stuff.

[Jackie Blue]

Dirty Three are one of my favorite bands of all time.  I've been listening to them for at least 9 or 10 years.  For some reason, I don't really think of them as post-rock.  I can't really pinpoint why, but I think it has something to do with the sheer trashiness of their sound, particularly the first few albums.

[Misereatur]

Pelican are kind of weird because they started out super super heavy and have gotten more and more post-rock-ish with every release.

Which isn't to say they're not good, I like them a lot, but I do kind of prefer their more metal-influenced stuff.

You know, I think we could say the same about Isis and Cult of Luna.

[Patatat]

Pelican are kind of weird because they started out super super heavy and have gotten more and more post-rock-ish with every release.

Which isn't to say they're not good, I like them a lot, but I do kind of prefer their more metal-influenced stuff.

When I first listened to them. They just had an ambient noise for like twenty minutes then I heard a good strong distorted BWAAAAAAANNNGGG. I have been hooked ever since.

Is Minus The Bear considered Post-Rock? I have heard that they are. I just call them good time music.