âI. M. Wagnerâ is Milhavenâs second release on 12rec. following their outstanding 2005 debut LP âBars Closing Down.â Classic instrumental post-rock is an accurate descriptor of the overall flavor of this four-track album, but these words donât even begin to capture the power, beauty, and intensity of the EP. The ingredients for this impressive release are simple, but the end result is multifarious: Conventional rock instruments - multiple guitars, bass, drums, along with some occasional field recordings - are the foundation. However, its strength comes from the innovative use of these instruments and the emotional rush that follows. âOh! Great Pacificâ begins as a timeless piece of traditional slow-rock (bass and percussion) that over the course of ten minutes gradually builds into a crescendo of cinematic bliss as lead and rhythm guitar take on the orchestral-like role of creating a densely textured wall of varying timbres. The track appropriately ends with an onslaught of feedback followed by a field recording of rushing ocean waves of whose sounds the composition is symbolic of. The simple, gentle melody of a single guitar is the greeter on âLord of Birdsâ backed by bass and percussion. A second guitar joins shortly complementing the first. The piece gradually builds in intensity and complexity as the guitars actually seem to be carrying on a conversation with one another, and the overall atmosphere builds into an emotional charged, almost frantic climax before mellowing once again in final few seconds. Smoothly flowing tones and gently played solo guitars give the first few minutes of the lengthy âClean Roomâ a laid-back, romantic start. Delicate melodies fade in and out as light percussion is stealthy added providing additional texture. A slowly evolving passion begins to build as the guitar playing becomes denser and more intense and heavy percussion emerges to fill the background. The intensity fades briefly and then suddenly rebuilds as the track reaches an discordant, almost deafening, conclusion. âFirnisâ brings the album to the a beautiful, nostalgic conclusion. No beats - just dual acoustic guitars playing mellow, harmonizing melodies. Slightly past the half-way point, a misty layer of narration is added along with traces of slightly distorted radio-like noise. The track ends in peculiar way as the instrumentation abruptly ceases and a hazy amalgam of distorted frequencies and sliced-up voices take over. EARLabs/Larry Johnson Classic Postrock 5 LAJ 2006-11-21 00:52:45 2006-11-21 00:52:45 I really enjoyed this EP. Slowly unfurling, pulsing, even plodding (in the best sense of the word) inevitably - constantly pushing forward and grabbing interest. Artfully executed post-rock. Very Solid Release ThePianoMan 2008-05-30 01:11:28 2008-05-30 01:11:28 5 2 5.00