Sufjan Stevens: The BQE

Artist: Sufjan Stevens
Album: The BQE
Date Released: October 20, 2009
Genre: classical crossover, classical, post-rock
Rating: 7.4

Jonsi and Alex: Riceboy Sleeps

Artist: Jonsi and Alex
Album: Riceboy Sleeps
Date Released: July 21, 2009
Genre: post-rock, experimental rock
Rating: 7.8

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

Irepress: Sol Eye See I

Artist: Irepress
Album: Sol Eye See I
Date Released: February 17, 2009
Genre: post-rock, post-metal, progressive, experimental
Rating: 7.6

Hailing from Massachusetts, Irepress have released Sol Eye See I, the follow-up to their 2007 debut, Samus Octology. Irepress play an extremely challenging and proficient brand of post-rock that borders on everything from post-metal through to jazz-fusion, math-rock and sludge. Unsurprisingly, the tracks themselves on Sol Eye See I are as frenetic and chaotic as these descriptions would imply.

The chug-a-chug metal riffs are often interspersed with washes of fuzzy guitar soundscapes, frenetic drumming and the electric guitar pickings that are characteristic of the post-rock genre. The tracks are all over the map, frequently starting and stopping on a dime. This isn't stuff you play in the background -- it commands attention and lots of patience.

Irepress is not for everyone, but listeners looking for something a bit different and daring will adore this album.

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.

Russian Circles: Geneva

Artist: Russian Circles
Album: Geneva
Date Released: October 20, 2009
Genre: post-rock, post-metal, progressive rock
Rating: 8.7

Geneva is the third full-length album by the Chicago post-rock three-piece, Russian Circles. This album comes only one year after their excellent and transitionary Station, and it finds the band continuing to explore new sonic spaces and possibilities.

Geneva features a broader arrangement than their first two releases, namely the addition of cello (Allison Chesley) and violin (Susan Voelz). The tracks are still epic and fiery, as exemplified by the goose-bump inducing "When the Mountain Comes to Muhammad" -- but now, with the added emphasis on more nuanced pacing and song-progression, the band is able to create sprawling and often meditative tracks.

Russian Circles, once regarded as being purely about the post-metal, is clearly moving away from sheer heaviness and the cliched progressions that have often marred the genre. Sounding much less like Pelican and more like Evpatoria Report, the band is continuing to evolve. And with Geneva, Russian Circles have produced their most realized work to date.

Atlas Sound: Logos

Artist: Atlas Sound
Album: Logos
Date Released: October 20, 2009
Genre: post-rock, experimental, indie rock, alt-rock
Rating: 8.9

Atlas Sound is the solo project of Bradford James Cox, the lead singer of Atlanta four-piece Deerhunter. Logos is the follow-up to his debut, Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See but Cannot Feel.

Often awash in ambient textures and post-rock zone-outs, Logos is a gorgeously produced and intricate album that pays as much attention to texture and sound design as it does to sheer track strength. Featuring guest appearances from Noah Lennox (Animal Collective, Panda Bear) and Laetitia Sadier (Stereolab) the album is blessed with some excellent talent. The Sadier track in particular, the epic and washy "Quick Canal," is emblematic of Cox's ability to intertwine atmosphere with melody.

Though Atlas Sound could be considered more experimental and daring than Deerhunter, closer inspection reveals a highly accessible album. Don't let the labels fool you: Logos will appeal to a wide cross section. Don't miss this one.

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."

And So I Watch You From Afar: And So I Watch You From Afar

Artist: And So I Watch You From Afar
Album: And So I Watch You From Afar
Date Released: April 2009
Genre: post-rock
Rating: 9.1

Review: Hailing from Northern Ireland, And So I Watch You From Afar (aka ASIWYFA) pound out high-energy guitar driven instrumental post-rock that combines the sonic sophistication of Explosions In The Sky and Mogwai, the heaviness of Pelican and the melodic/rhythmic complexity of Battles. But to say this band is derivative would be grossly unfair -- ASIWYFA is their own band with a sound that's distinctly their own.

And So I Watch You From Afar is an embarrassment of riches, an album littered with powerful riffs, mind-bending grooves, virtuosic performances and intricate arrangements. Likely the best post-rock release of 2009. Track highlights include "Set Guitars to Kill", "I Capture Castles," and "Clench Fists, Grit Teeth...GO!"

Múm: Sing Along to Songs You Don't Know

Artist: Múm
Album: Sing Along to Songs You Don't Know
Date Released: August 25, 2009
Genre: post-rock, indie-pop,
Rating: 7.3

Review: On Sing Along to Songs You Don't Know, Iceland's Múm have largely abandoned their IDM/electronica roots in favor of a more sophisticated and organic (but still highly percusive) sound. Synth beats have been largely (but not entirely) replaced by a string quartet, prepared piano, marimba, and hammered dulcimer -- and all accompanied by some very capable song writing. The breathy and intimate vocals are a definite stand-out.

The Most Serene Republic: ...And the Ever Expanding Universe

Artist: The Most Serene Republic
Album: ...And the Ever Expanding Universe
Date Released: July 14, 2009
Genre: indie-rock, alt-rock, post-rock, experimental
Rating: 7.5

Review: The Canadian music scene is alive and well -- it's arguably never been stronger. Now if only the rest of Canada would wake up to this fact. Case in point is The Most Serene Republic -- an outstanding and innovative 7-piece act from Toronto that's largely unknown in its home country. That being said, with ...And the Ever Expanding Universe, TMSR have released their most accessible album to date. There's no longer any excuse for ignoring this band.

The 2009 version of TMSR are a little less post-rock and bit more alt-rock, if not alt-pop. The tracks on ...And the Ever Expanding Universe are tighter and more constrained than before (take the Philip Glass inspired "Patternicity," a track that could have easily gone out of control), but they're no less daring and enjoyable. And as always, the band is high-energy and all about the fun factor (check out "Heavens to Purgatory" for a taste).

An excellent release from a very talented band.

Sian Alice Group: Troubled, Shaken Etc.

Artist: Sian Alice Group
Album: Troubled, Shaken Etc.
Date Released: July 31, 2009
Genre: post-rock, experimental, indie-rock
Rating: 7.3

Review: The sophomore release from Sian Alice Group finds them mellow and feeling a bit retro. With the occasional hints of Stereolab and Radiohead, the music is ultimately given its strength by the tender and often delicate vocals of Sian Ahern. A moody and atmospheric album, Troubled, Shaken Etc. will appeal to those looking to satiate their post-rock sensibilities. "Close to the Ground" is an album highlight.

Nadja & A Storm of Light: Primitive North [Split]

Artist: Nadja & A Storm of Light
Album: Primitive North [Split]
Date Released: March 3, 2009
Genre: post-metal, post-rock, doom metal, sludge metal
Rating: 7.4

Review: Primitive North is a split CD from Toronto's Nadja and Brooklyn's A Storm of Light (featuring members of Red Sparowes, Tombs, Unsane and Satanized). Each band contributes by remixing and interweaving elements from both, creating apocalyptic waves of doomy fuzzes and drones. Primitive North is intensely heavy and agonizingly slow -- not for the feint of heart.

Bibio: Ambivalence Avenue

Artist: Bibio
Album: Ambivalence Avenue
Date Released: June 23, 2009
Genre: post-rock, experimental, indie electronic, electronica
Rating: 8.5

Review: On Ambivalence Avenue, England's Bibio (aka Stephen Wilkinson) weaves together densely textured and dynamic layers of heavily processed samples and beats. The album's mood is warm, welcoming and summery.

Bibio dips into a variety of influences, some as immediate as Boards of Canada, Justice and Caribou, and others as far back as Future Sound of London, Jean-Michel Jarre and even Ummagummesque Pink Floyd; Bibio shows outstanding creativity as he reworks these influences into something that still sounds very fresh.

Ambivalence Avenue will appeal to those looking for straight-forward pop while also appeasing those looking for something a bit more daring and complex. There's absolutely nothing to be ambivalent about here in the slightest.