Pelican: What We All Come to Need

Artist: Pelican
Album: What We All Come to Need
Date Released: October 27, 2009
Genre: post-rock, post-metal, instrumental rock
Rating: 8.3

If These Trees Could Talk: Above the Earth, Below the Sky

Artist: If These Trees Could Talk
Album: Above the Earth, Below the Sky
Date Released: March 11, 2009
Genre: post-rock, progressive rock, instrumental rock
Rating: 7.2

If These Trees Could Talk is an instrumental post-rock group from Akron, Ohio. Above the Earth, Below the Sky is the follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2006 self-titled debut. The new album features much of the same elements found on their debut; ITTCT are emblematic of the post-rock genre, skillfully integrating elements from such artists as Explosions in the Sky, Mogwai and even Tool (check out "Rebuilding the Temple of Artemis" for a taste).

Above the Earth, Below the Sky is a solid and listenable effort, but the production values sound frustratingly thin and uninspired. If These Trees Could Talk are a very talented group of guys who have yet to reach their full potential. The best is still yet to come.

Caspian: Tertia

Artist: Caspian
Album: Tertia
Date Released: September 15, 2009
Genre: post-rock, progressive rock, instrumental rock
Rating: 8.3

Massachusetts's Caspian hits the mark with their third studio release, Tertia. The tracks have the usual atmospheric and dreamy Caspian touches, but this album is blessed with a particularly strong melodic sensibility. Sonically, Tertia features moments of grandiose and richly textured soundcapes (including choral elements) that are often intermingled with softer touches, such as solo piano, acoustic strummings and clean electric guitar pickings (all laden, of course, with generous amounts of doubling, reverb and digital delay). The album will at one moment sound as heavy as post-metal Isis but at other times sound like Joshua Tree era U2. This is a beautiful and dynamic album.

Tortoise: Beacons of Ancestorship

Artist: Tortoise
Album: Beacons of Ancestorship
Date Released: June 23, 2009
Genre: post-rock, experimental, instrumental rock
Rating: 8.7

Review: Beacons of Ancestorship is Tortoise's first album in five years; fans will rejoice to discover that the band's dedication to acoustic experimentation and genre-splicing remain intact. Boasting gorgeous production values, Beacons of Ancestorship is a showcase for a band that continous to explore new sonic space while at the same time putting out enjoyable and highly accessible music. Track highlights include "Gigantes", "Prepare Your Coffin", and "High Class Slim Came Floatin' In."

Omar Rodriguez-Lopez: Old Money

Artist: Omar Rodriguez-Lopez
Album: Old Money

Date Released: January 27, 2009
Genre: experimental rock, neo-psychedelia, indie rock, instrumental rock, space rock
Rating: 7.6

Review: The Mars Volta's Omar Rodriguez-Lopez continues to churn out albums with disturbing proficiency -- but this one's a doosey. Old Money is a guitar lover's dream come true, especially in today's age where bombastic rock-outs and virtuosic playing are (curiously) taboo. Some might consider Rodriguez-Lopez to be a bit indulgent here, but Old Money is too good and too much fun to ignore; let the malcontents miss out on this one -- it'll be their loss.

Like the last Mars Volta album, The Bedlam in Goliath, this CD blazes forward with unrelenting intensity. Rarely do listeners have a chance to catch their breath, all while being treated to a diverse sonic palate. The ten instrumental tracks on Old Money bring together a number of influences, from 70's era Zappa and psychedelia right through to Latin music and prog-rock.

The riffs are fantastic and never overdone; the arrangements are constructed with careful precision (including crazy time signature changes, saxophone and spacey synth zone-outs), but at no time does Old Money sound over-produced. The sound is raw, fresh and frenetic --and all performed with admirable skill.

Old Money is exactly what an instrumental guitar-rock album should sound like.