Civil Service – Light
Civil Service – Light
Ripcord Records
04/10/2024
Running Time: 50:01
Review by Oli Gonzalez
8/10
It’s often the case where I’m asked to review albums from other countries, or continents. It’s rare that I get the opportunity to check out some talent in my own backyard here in Manchester. In this case, Civil Service, a post-rock act and their debut release “Light”.
From the outset, it is clear that this represents all that is great about Post-rock. Complex rhythmic patterns and sophisticated melodies extending far beyond the realms of simple 4/4 time signatures. Non-canonical song structures to keep you engaged and guessing. There are rather pleasing aesthetic properties to the guitars, glass-like and elegant in their tonal quality. Combined with the subtle use of background synths (and sometimes not so subtle as they make their way to the foreground), all of which make for an elegant audial experience. Even if the opening song comes in at a muscular 14 minutes or so in length! A brave decision for today’s fast-food society that demands instant gratification at all times.
Some highlights for me. I particularly admired the ambient lounge feel to ‘The Lines Of Communication, Severed’, one you could happily lull yourself asleep to should the situation ever call for it. Sometimes you’ve just got to go bigger and more dramatic. ‘Now Their Backs Are Bent In Postures Of Apology’ has this in spades, with huge bursts of energy and huge HUGE atmospheric soundscapes. I like this! I confess, as I’m writing this, this is actually the second listen. I honestly didn’t quite understand the band the first time round and wasn’t sold, though this is starting to grow on me now!
Now, this album is good. Very good. What could make it excellent or even better? Honestly, I think the pacing of the album and length of the songs are what let this down. It feels as though the ideas don’t progress fast enough and it can be difficult to sustain attention. Could the songs be compressed a little and make a 50 minute album 40 minutes or even shorter in length? Would this be a compromise of the artist’s integrity though? It’s rhetorical question time. Should you check out this album when it’s available to the public? If you’re a post-rock fan, yes!
TRACKLISTING
01. She Would Never Retreat; Their Negativity Just Made Her Stronger
02. The Lines Of Communication, Severed
03. Now Their Backs Are Bent In Postures Of Apology
04. She Felt The Yawning Sky; Intangible
05. They Felt The Yawning Sky: Meaningless
LINKS
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