Classics: Post-rock
Words: Christian Crider

Since the early 1990s, the term post-rock has been used quite sparingly. This is because it’s hard to define exactly what music is included within this genre. The term was first used by music journalist Simon Reynolds to describe the Bark Psychosis album Hex, due to the album’s tendency to step beyond the parameters set forth by rock instrumentation. As rock music continues to progress, it becomes increasingly difficult to separate post-rock from other genres. Bands like Explosions in the Sky, Sigur Rós and Six Parts Seven represent the newest generation of post-rock musicians, but there’s a rich history behind these bands. So without further ado, here are a couple seminal post-rock albums to refresh your coffers.

Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven
2000, Constellation
From Montreal, Godspeed You! Black Emperor was a heavily influential band whose formation in the early 90s heralded a dark, moody, and cerebral movement in post-rock. While not their first album, Lift Your Skinny Fists is easily one of their best and most accessible. Its four tracks can be deceiving, as the album runs over eighty-five minutes. Beautiful lullabies transform into churning, powerful movements as each song explores the lows and highs of purely musical emotion. If you’re a fan of Explosions in the Sky, then you’ll be blown away by their predecessors.

Mogwai
Mogwai Young Team
1997, Chemikal Underground
Scottish band Mogwai is one of the heavy hitters of post-rock. While certainly more aggressive than some of the soundscape bands out there, Mogwai’s guitar-driven ballads are ranked among the best. Although the band members weren’t too proud of their first baby, Young Team pushed them and other artists in ways they never expected. “Like Herod” is a crystal-ball glimpse into the band’s future as it broods timidly then bursts into gained-up electric madness before subsiding into a quiet lull and repeating the cycle. Unlike Godspeed You! Black Emperor (unless you count their numerous side-projects), Mogwai is still kickin’ out righteous post-rock tunes, and a new album is expected this year.