Husky (-): Have you ever been part of a jam session? You know, a Friday afternoon gathering with some friends, lots of cheap beer, and a few instruments to make some noise? Well, I’m occasionally a participant in a such a jam session, and one of the things that I notice is that our jamming has ended up more than once in the typical post-rock mode. Even if we start with the most non-post-rock setup, it usually leads to compositions that a typical post-rock formation might come up with (which they might name "Children! Run to the Steamboat! Embrace Rabbits!")
Assuming other casual jam sessions are of similar nature, you could conclude that there should be an overabundance of post-rock formations. Well, this is true, and only a few make something that is distinctive from those typical Friday afternoon jam sessions. Do Make Say Think has the right papers to be one of those "few." Using elements from other musical styles, such as free jazz, to distinguish itself from the rest of the pack, Do Make Say Think has firmly established itself in the post-rock world.
However, after careful listening to their newcomer Winter Hymn Country Hymn Secret Hymn, I must say that I now have doubts about their musical capabilities. Certainly, the band members are amazing, skillful musicians; they use dynamics, rhythms, and crescendos to perfection, but what's missing is a sense of melody. Take, for example, a track like "Auberge Le Mouton Noir." The song has a lovely build-up, but the main guitar riff is so unimaginative that it’s hard to actually like the song. Unfortunately, this is true for most
of Winter Hymn. There are a few positive exceptions, such as the jazzy "Ontario Plates" and the charming, almost ecstatic album closer "Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!", but for the most part this record consists of drum rhythms, some tape hiss, and lots of atonal guitar and trumpet melodies.
And that isn’t very different from what usually ends up on tape after a Friday Afternoon.
Wolfman (+): When I think of Toronto’s Do Make Say Think, I envision a building steam train. The moment of departure represents the beginning of the album, and the journey represents the duration. Their career can easily be described as monumental, building a solid foundation of sound and fans progressively after each individual album release. Like the building speed of a traveling train, Do Make Say Think embodies the essential momentum to build a prosperous career with each album.
Winter Hymn Country Hymn Secret Hymn is Do Make Say Think’s third album release in three years and is by far their best work to date. Though their 2002 release & Yet & Yet established them as a truly unique and talented band, their latest album showcases their work splendidly, encompassing a sense of achievement and confidence that was lacking from previous efforts. Much of their work is compared to Godspeed You! Black Emperor's compositions, but even though the two bands are labelmates, Do Make Say Think’s musical drive seems to be blooming more effortlessly.
The opening track “Frederica” borrows from GY!BE’s musical formula, building a quiet to loud presence, continuing further with more quiet, and then bombastically getting louder and louder until the song ends. And though most will dismiss the remainder of the album as copycat, most of the following tracks are increasingly original, establishing Do Make Say Think’s unique blend of jazz and art. The album is slightly conceptual, creating three different sections which are related to the album title itself. Though each is different and recorded at individual times, all of the segments blend together to create an overabundance of emotional alteration. “Horns of A Rabbit” is definitely the standout track, building a mix of noise over a solid bass line that attacks you with a vengeance. And the closing track “Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!” projects a satisfactory sentiment of a journey that ends in happiness and joy.
And at the completion of the album, your desire to hop on the train again will be evidence that this record is one of the top records in 2003. So next time you are traveling, forget flying. Take the train and enjoy a ride through an emotional journey of noise and music. Do Make Say Think’s journey is one of complete satisfaction.
1. Fredericia
2. War On Want
3. Auberge Le Mouton Noir
4. Outer Inner & Secret
5. 107 Reasons Why
6. Ontario Plates
7. Horns Of A Rabbit
8. It's Gonna Rain
9. Hooray! Hooray! Hooray
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