Godspeed You Black Emperor! - Yanqui U.X.O.
(Constellation)
Ok, so you've already made up your mind about Godspeed You Black Emperor.
Nothing on this new album will change anyone's mind about them. They still sound apocalyptic. They have the same instrumentation. And, they still have crescendos. There is only one thing that was on all of the past recordings that is missing on this—the found sound monologues. Whether it's the lack of these crazed rants (that served as narration) or whether the music has a slightly different tone, or more likely a combination of the two, Yanqui U.X.O. has a cinematic overtone that conjures scenic washes throughout the record.
As always, there are politics tied into the artwork for the album. The back has a diagram of how AOL Time Warner, Sony, Vivendi Entertainment and Power Corporation of Canada are all linked to weapons of war manufacturers/developers. Inside, a picture of jet taped to a piece of cardboard, and a questionnaire from US Investigations Services all continue the war theme, which at the moment is very relevant. But then, on the sleeve the CD is held in, there is a confusing picture of some cats with wings (Angel Cats?) and a hammer that has 'hope' printed on the head. Um... what?
The tone of this album is less manic than their past releases, which allows for the tranquil moments to take hold, which is refreshing. It never quite dabbles in the abstract to the extent that last year's incredible Set Fire to Flames album did. None of the songs ever get quite to the chaotic fervor of "Moya" from the Slow Riot For New Zero Kanada EP. Pushing the technology to its limits, the album finishes at just under the 75-minute mark. I don't know exactly what I did expect, but as the first album they've released after the last year of political struggle, wars, etc., I am a little surprised (but pleased) to have such an epic meditation on solemn beauty.
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