Review: Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress
By Chris Reinbold, Staff Writer
[Constellation; 2015]
Rating: 3/5
Key Tracks: “Pleasantry or ‘Light! Inside of Light!’,” “Lambs’ Breath”
Godspeed You! Black Emperor is a post-rock outfit hailing from Montreal. The ensemble is comprised of eight members and is one of the most influential groups within the post-rock genre. Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress is a collection of four tracks, clocking in at 40 minutes, and seems to pick up where previous effort Allelujah! Don’t Bend! Ascend! left off.
Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress is organized in quite the inventive fashion. The two middle tracks seem to be completely devoid of any non-synthetic sounds, while the beginning and end compositions take on the life of sweeping, vast symphonic arrangements. As characteristic of post-rock's nature, the symphonic pieces of this album are spun through a combination of rock instrumentation and classical instruments, such as double bass and violin. The opener, “Peasantry or ‘Light! Inside of Light!’,” begins with a simple drum pattern delicately laced with echo effects. From here, Godspeed You! builds epic, symphonic chords highlighted with the faint sound of what appears to be bagpipes. This song takes the listener on a journey of sweeping orchestral arrangements, a seemingly impromptu jazz-inspired guitar section and an exploration of common themes found within traditional eastern music. The track ends with a repetitive motif that lulls the listener into a trance, only to end drowning in an anti-climactic sea of feedback. “Lambs’ Breath” is the beginning of the dive into more electronic-based sounds. The song starts with a heavily distorted bass that can very easily be mistaken for the pitch-shifted growling of a dog. Eerie oscillations come to fruition beneath the bass’ growl and then gradually crescendo. At around the three-minute mark, the oscillations give way to an ambient, synthesized wind effect coupled with sounds reminiscent of an alien spaceship in a sci-fi B-movie.
The swirl of the spaceship continues far too long and quickly begins to drag. At the song’s end, one is left with a modulating oscillation similar to that at the beginning. There is no relief, just the feeling of one’s heart beating quickly in anticipation for a climax that never happens. The final and longest cut is “Piss Crowns are Trebled,” which marks a return to the more symphonic elements that open the album. In addition to the Middle Eastern influence showcased in the track, Godspeed You! makes it simple for the listener to follow the obvious time signature changes from 3/4 at the song’s start, to 4/4 at the midpoint and end. Overall, Godspeed You! Black Emperor does not expand too much past what the group ventured into on its previous effort. The soundscapes the band crafts are vast and mesmerizing. Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress is hands-down the most pop-influenced collection Godspeed You! has released, especially in regards to the production scheme. Everything sits within the pop formula: the guitar and violin occupy the highs, the synthesizer claims the mid-range and the bass guitar holds down the low-end. Nothing sits lower or higher than expected, even with all of the textures.
As background noise, the album is perfect. As a work to be focused on, Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress is more than just noise. It is a smooth album meant to cause an emotional stir and be repeatedly listened to for full digest.
