Yanqui U.X.O.

This seems to be the most guitar-driven album they've put out, but that's not a bad thing. The reverb and delay laden guitars as well as Efirm's tremoloed screwdriver guitar playing fit the band's compositions (they make compositions, not songs) perfectly.

Yanqui U.X.O. is a must have for any post-rock fan; don't miss out on it. 4.5 stars.

Standout tracks: Rockets Fall On Rocket Falls, Motherf***er=Redeemer (Part 2)

This also marks the band's most overtly political record to date. Those who have followed the group know that have strong political opinions, firmly anti-corporate and left-leaning. Here the song titles, the dire nature of the sound (especially in the context of world events), and the liner notes make it clear the band wants to speak. Yet this is instrumental music, and so, unlike when other bands decide they want to offer a message, listeners who are simply not interested will never find this increasing vocal stance intrusive. But it's there for the grabbing for those who want to know more or get involved.

Built upon layers of instrumentation by a band that is at times more than a dozen members strong, Godspeed You Black Emperor - Gybe for short - mix airy, noisy guitar with strings, sound collages, piano, chimes, and more. They take fairly simple musical themes and, using this vast array of sounds, build them up over a long period, morphing simple melodies until they metamorphosis into something wholly different. This isn't simply droning music. This is a journey.

One could liken Gybe records to soundtracks for films that have never been made. It's a description that works, because their routinely music conjures images. It's epic noise rock on a classical music scale.

But none of that does the sounds here justice. Trying to describe the music of Godspeed You Black Emperor is like trying to describe a dream. You can describe the instruments and how they go about their business, but until you hear it, you won't have a clear picture of what this band is all about.

Godspeed You Black Emperor is a superb band for those who enjoy lengthy songs, sprawling soundscapes and music you can sink into. It's a heady experience listening to this stuff. And it's worth it.

This is a darker, bleaker record than their first three releases, proving the band is not a one-trick pony.

If you're into Spiritualized, Bardo Pond, Dirty Three, Labradford, Mogwai, My Bloody Valentine, Flying Saucer Attack and others in this realm, you owe it to yourself to check this out.