Explosions in the Sky

All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone

(Temporary Residence)

Record Review by Alexis Roberts

The words “explosions in the sky” don’t exactly evoke the same feeling as the music of Explosions in the Sky, so please keep this in mind as you venture forth into the beautiful world of this instrumental quartet from Texas. The first time I ever asked anyone if they had heard of EITS they said “Where!? In Iraq?” The second time I asked someone if they liked them they said “Oh yeah, they’re like hardcore, right?” Wrong.

Explosions are the certain type of band that many people are either obsessed with, or have never heard of. It’s plain and simple. Those associated with the prog. instrumental rock genre know Explosions, and love them. They are consistently selling out venues on every tour and it’s quite apparent at their shows that everyone knows every song. If these songs had words, it would be like one of those entire audience sing-along shows a la Bright Eyes.  Then you have the people who have yet to hear Explosions in the Sky, or think that they play some sort crazy ass hXc or death metal, which is about as far off target as one could possibly be.

The band has quite a nice discography under their belt, dating back to their 2000 debut, How Strange, Innocence. Not necessarily the most prolific band in the world, they have released only two full-lengths up until now (not including the somewhat secret album for members of a Temporary Residence fan club), but, in addition to that, they also did the film score for Friday Night Lights (football never looked so appealing).

All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone just restored my faith in music altogether, with songs that are transcendent and timeless. In 30 years, the songs off of this album will still be modern-sounding. I heard most of these songs live before I heard them on the CD and what a huge difference that made to actually see them playing the songs. Naturally a live experience and a CD experience should be worlds apart because you get a certain energy and euphoria at their live shows. On the recordings, however, you are able to hear the hidden sadness. A careless listener could miss it altogether, but the intangible blanket of heavy emotion that covers these songs is what completes the album.  I’m just going to come right out and say it: Explosions in the Sky is the best band in the world right now.