[.ca] Selenography

From Amazon.com:
Flowing in an ether not unlike the one surrounding Tortoise, the Rachel's count 10 members in their band, none of whom plays a plainly rocklike instrument--but all of whom know the force of well-executed musical drama. Their songs are built on Rachel Grimes's piano and Jason Noble's guitars (and both of their miscellaneous instruments) and expand with the addition of trumpet, cello, viola, and percussion. Noble hails from Rodan (and another Kentucky-bred band, Slint, even shows an impress on these complex musical proceedings) and brings some indie-rock cred to this bunch, but aside from that, the Rachel's are a rather plainly drawn group of musicians going for a postrock and post-chamber-music vibe. They do a fine job, making music that sounds anxious in its small-nugget mullings. Edward Grimes's drums make a nice spinal column for the band, which at times seems washed out in minor keys and a calculated approach to not varying the group's formula or its hybrid after-classical mix too much. Like Pullman's Turnstyles and Junkpiles--which brought together reps from Tortoise, Rex, and Come--this recording both stays its unflappably midtempo, richly drawn course and sounds like an homage to a particularly somber musical mood, one the Rachel's portray very well. --Andrew Bartlett

Yer actual "New wave" in action:
I love the way it starts, with an almost traditional alternative rock rhythm, on all the wrong instruments, before it gives way to familiar sounding piano, harpsichord and gorgeous neo-classical songs. It would be entirely wrong to suggrest that this is inaccessible music - it's delicate, hard, soft and fascinating. Their own voices grow too. wheras several times in the past, the shadow of Michael Nyman has drifted over their albums, more and more, they sound like nothing else. Buy this album - give them your money, they probably need it with there being ten of 'em.

Worth your time:
This is probably their best recording yet. They sound more confident than on earlier releases. For the uninitiated, start here.

Why Don't You Already Own This!:
Stark like an artic winter's night, warm like green grass on a clear summer's day. Beautiful like fire dancing, ugly like life. A post-rock orchastral album for everyone (even your mom!) that takes what is best about Dirty Three, Godspeed you black emperor, and everyone else mining this territory and surpasses them all.

Innovative, Soothing, Relaxing.:
Would you like instrumental music with violins, pianos, harpsichords? This would be perfect. It will want to make you drift away into the wind. Most of the songs have the same formula -- soothing pianos and violins, especially "A French Galleasse" but that's a good thing. A few unique tracks are "Kentucky Noctourne," a warm, comforting western violin tune, "An Evening of Long Goodbyes," some interesting percussion and feeling, "The Mysterious Dissapearance of Louis LePrince," an eerie, electronic tune, and finally my favorite: "Honeysuckle Suite," a serenade of three different parts, played by a lovely harpsichord. The 10 bandmembers love what they do, and this is a must-have for lovers of neoclassical or post-rock music. Don't miss out!

A beautiful, majestic listening experience.:
Many have tried to merge the forms of traditional, classical music with the harsh restrictions of rock structure unsuccessfully. Where others have failed, however, Rachel's succeed, particularly on this beautiful and focused effort. Due to the involvement of many post-rock and indie icons, it's likely to attract the chin-stroking, Tortoise/Slint-fanatic fraternity, but in truth it's music for everyone. Tranquil yet urgent, complex yet simple, Rachel's encourage all manner of contradictory adjectives, the haunting qualities of the likes of "A French Galleasse" and "Honeysuckle Suite" almost impossible to summarize. An album that only an intense knowledge and passion for music could have spawned, and a beautiful, majestic listening experience to boot.

• French Galleasse
• On Demeter
• Last Night
• Kentucky Nocturne
• Honeysuckle Suite (Sugar Maple - Elm - Sweetgum)
• Artemisia
• Old Road 60
• Evening of Long Goodbyes
• Cuts the Metal Cold
• Mysterious Disappearance of Louis LePrince
• Forgiveness
• Hearts and Drums