This Will Destroy You - Another Language

This Will Destroy You

Another Language

12 September 2014

Suicide Squeeze

 

3.5 stars out of 5

 

 

Texan “doomgaze” instrumentalists This Will Destroy You return with their third album, Another Language. A portmanteau of “doom metal” and “shoegaze,” the neologism isn’t all that honest: this is basically straight-up instrumental post-rock in the vein of Mogwai and the like, with slight nods in the direction of the two composite genres. And there ain’t nothing wrong with that. Produced by the seemingly omnipresent John Congleton, Another Language is a very pretty piece of work, and while it’s not terribly innovative or experimental, it knows how to push the buttons through its dynamics and minor-key chord progressions.

 

As far as instrumental post-rock bands go, TWDY are rather precise; they don’t indulge in long jams or navel-gazing improv sessions. Even the slow, almost ambient pieces like “Mother Opiate” are carefully controlled, never allowed to unravel into uncertain tangents. The more “rock” of the “post-rock” tracks, like “Invitation” or “Dustism,” stick to the script, though despite their tight compositions and performances they never feel stale or lifeless. Emotive but not aggressively challenging, Another Language is the perfect soundtrack to that post-breakup long drive through the forest in the rain that you’ve always wanted to do.

 

reviewed by Richard Krueger