EPT![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/bt5Xk.jpg)
After seeing Daigomi's old guide to this genre, I felt doing something more through will be a good idea. Post-rock is still developing and also there are lots of albums being totally forgotten, even if they turn out to be the real milestones of the species. So here is my quick race along nine outstanding albums: from noob level to high-rank madness. I hope you will enjoy it and jump into bandwagon.
Level: D
Sigur Rós - Ágaetis byrjun
I Homepage I Last.fm I
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/qbUfh.jpg)
Where? Reykjavík, Iceland
When? 1999
How? anonymously
Like what? Bliss
If I were a post-rock newbie, I would start with this album; not only because it's a milestone in the development of the genre, but also because it's a gem in general. Four Icelandic no-names managed to record a homemade masterpiece that scored fantastic number of sales; and it happened for a good reason. Let's say those are ten songs that make people think 'man, I don't even know what's this, but so far, I've been listening to absolute crap'. Yeah man. You're right.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNWJ7lbshzQ
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34ZtT4Th9Ys
Level: D+
Tortoise - Millions Now Living Will Never Die
I Homepage I Last.fm I
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/FjxLA.jpg)
Where? Chicago, United States
When? 1996
How? smoothly
Like what? Swing
Tortoise is probably the oldest post-rock band that is still around and keeps releasing quality stuff. If you count various affiliations of these guys (like The Sea and Cake, Isotope 217 or to-be-mentioned Slint) it will become clear that they alone wrote couple of chapters in music's history. Tightly bonded with modern jazz and electronica scenes, they have couple of truly essential albums under their belts. This one, with it's topical opener 'Djed' explores the area of 'surf rock'.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yomowCF5icY
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMBTckcbUZs
Level: C-
Mogwai - Young Team
I Homepage I Last.fm I
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/3Ye8a.jpg)
Where? Glasgow, Scotland
When? 1997
How? ballsy
Like what? Youth
Scottish Mogwai is best known for original sense of humour and (unfortunately) copying themselves on most recent releases. This, however, does not take anything from 1994 debut of this band. 'Young Team', opened with a ballsy monologue ('If the stars had a sound, it would sound like this."), contains little pieces of gold like 'Tracy' (song in honour of Tracy Chapman), 'Summer (Priority Version') and closing 'Fear Satan'. Last word: 'Like Herod' sounds fine, but it's overrated.
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Level: C
Don Caballero - American Don
I Homepage I Last.fm I
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/2d3S0.jpg)
Where? Pittsburgh, United States
When? 2000
How? dynamically
Like what? Fusion
These days, Don Caballero (for friends: Don Cab) became a rougher, heavier version of itself; it even has a contract with metal label! But back in 90's, Damon Che and his friends kept recording dynamic songs with lots of swing and juicy melodies. Some call it 'math rock', but, to be honest, lack of vocals and excessive amount of skill by both guitarists constitute essential post-rock album. The hairdo cover hero Javier Bardem agrees wholeheartedly.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFAAFnRxK74
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o_C9n0mh_M
Level: C+
Bark Psychosis - Hex
I Homepage I Last.fm I
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/3dXHB.jpg)
Where? London, England
When? 1994
How? calmly
Like what? Dawn
What happens when decent producer and sound engineer fulfills his ambitions as a musician? 'Hex', the result of purely incidental strike of genius by Graham Sutton and friends was meant to be the only album of 'Bark Psychosis' project. However, those jazzy and slightly psychodelical songs got a brilliant follow-up ten (!) years later, on release called 'Codename: Dustsucker'. Both are worth full credit, but 'Hex' fits better for demanding listeners. Relaxing post-rock? Voila.
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Level: B-
Slint - Spiderland
I Homepage I Last.fm I
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/EuNw0.jpg)
Where? Louisville, United States
When? 1994
How? deceptively
Like what? Shiver
If you thought that Kurt Cobain's singing manner is his original invention, you probably never listened to this album. Slint went on significantly crazier and darker path than so-called 'grunge'. The path actually did not involve big-stage appearances or rockstar career. Sadly, their branch of evolution went extinct, as the band split up shortly after releasing 'Spiderland'. The right word to describe this album is 'focused', and if it sounds unclear, just give up reading and listen.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29MBGwzEhMc
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yEgcb167k4
Level: B
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - F#A#(infinity)
I Homepage I Last.fm I
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/MPquA.jpg)
Where? Montreal, Canada
When? 1997
How? ultimately
Like what? Earthquake
'A concept album about the apocalypse' - this might sound like very bad, pretentious idea by a band that plays black metal. But when Efrim Menuck's company sets it in motion, the result becomes surprisingly adequate to the idea. GY!BE sounds like nothing else. It starts music experiments where other bands won't dare to enter. It haunts. Frankly, 'F?A??' falls under 'absolutely essential' tag, but it's still a difficult piece. The car is on fire and there's noone at the wheel...
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aLjup934Rk
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4njG-l5-Ok
Level: B+
Magyar Posse - Random Avenger
I Homepage I Last.fm I
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/yHoi1.jpg)
Where? Pori, Finland
When? 2006
How? majestatically
Like what? Nocturn
Apart from being a brand of cheap, Hungarian wine, 'Magyar Posse' is an outstanding band from Pori, Finland. Just like Suffeli, MP strikes out of nowhere with marvellous concept of incorporating classical inspirations into post-rock. Imagine Ludwig Van Beethoven's mother giving him birth in late years of 20th century, then encouraging her son to start his own band: it would probably sound like this. Aside from terrible cover
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o3LzDdA8Pg
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGlWReSZuBM
Level: A-
Shalabi Effect - The Trial of St. Orange
I Homepage I Last.fm I
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/heNgz.jpg)
Where? Montreal, Canada
When? 2002
How? tropically
Like what? Jungle
Take a little bit of primitivism, blend it with exotic, possibly African inspirations, add strange electronic samples that jump into least expected moments and trademark it with the name of Canadian wizard, Sam Shalabi. 'The Trial of St. Orange' follows the trend of albums best listenable on weed. In fact, it lacks melodies, vocals or harmonics; it was all sacrificed for sake of an experiment. Feel the effects, and don't worry about the title: it's a joke about SE's basists' name - Alexandre St-Onge.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F79QikkNNvo
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Level: A and higher
So you reached to this point. Congrats. For more try http://www.thesilentballet.com/ Amazing website with lots of reviews and stuff. Also, check http://www.youtube.com/user/KSCIAA. That guy has taste.
![[image loading]](http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/3e17282eb5a45118fd8ee70a69791985/2679.jpg)
