Altsounds - This Will Destroy You

When you have polar opposite music sites as Pitchfork Media (finicky indie snobbery) and Rock Sound (metal and beyond) singing your praises, your bound to get my attention. It's a good thing This Will Destroy You lives up to the praise. The Texas band's command of atmosphere and tension is a lesson in elegance and control. Songs stretch out way past the 6-7 minute mark but they never seem to overstay their welcome. But what really takes you over is the way the band makes use of space and dissonance. Fans of Sigur Ros and Saxon Shore's output will be slack jawed by this record. The production by John Congleton (Modest Mouse) is sparse yet grand in its scope. It fits the music's majestic feel like a second skin.

Chris King and Jeremy Galindo's guitars swan dive through the compositions. They seemingly weave in and out of each other, never fighting for position. I even hesitate to call them guitarists at this point. Their work here is far too expansive and orchestral to limit it to "guitar band" status. Their restraint could have only come from years of measured experience. Much like the similarly huge-sounding Explosions In The Sky, I wouldn't be surprised if This Will Destroy You will be offered to do soundtrack work. Most of the material on S/T would lend itself acutely to a visual setting. This is a masterwork of grace, emotion and raw beauty rarely found in indie rock these days.

By Carlos Ramirez