Now to focus on some bands that are only instrumental. There is a large cannon of acts that have just used to music to express themselves without words. These bands vary musically but are all trying to achieve the same idea that music is not always in the lyrics but the song. A couple of acts I will be focusing on this time are Mogwai, Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Mono. I know there are more but no need to use them all up at once.
Let's explore Mogwai to begin with from Scotland. They are an amazing band that I have had the pleasure of experiencing in a live setting which is where they are most deadly. Using the quiet/loud dynamic their songs just evoke so many different feelings without anyone having to say a single line. They have 6 albums thus far including Mogwai: Young Team, Come On Die Young, Rock Action, Happy Songs For Happy People, Mr. Beast and The Hawk Is Howling. Also they have a great collection of EP's including 4 Satin, No Education=No Future, EP, EP+6, Travel Is Dangerous and Batcat. Dive in to the sound:
"Like Herod" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c
"Punk Song" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c
"2 Rights Make 1 Wrong (featuring Gruff Rhys)" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c
"Hunted By A Freak" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c
"Friend Of The Night" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c
"Batcat" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c
Secondly is Godspeed You! Black Emperor from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are an instrumental band in every sense of the word. They share and have members from several different bands from the Constellation records company (hint if you like Godspeed you will most likely be into the other bands on the label) including Fly Pan Am, A Silver Mt Zion, Do Make Say Think. Shrouded in mystery and only releasing a handful of material they remain an enigma. They have released 4 albums including All Lights Fucked on the Hairy Amp Drooling (a limited release cassette), F♯A♯∞, Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven, Yanqui U.X.O. with their only EP Slow Riot For A New Zerø Kanada. Very impressive in the scope of their songs and the attention they have created for themselves. Learn from the beginning:
"The Dead Flag Blues" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c
"Moya" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c
"Sleep" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c
"Rockets Fall On Rocket Falls" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c
Lastly but certainly not least is Mono hailing from Tokyo. They are absolutely amazing to see live and will not disappoint that I can tell you. They have been together since forming in 1999 and have managed to tour incessantly throughout the world. So far they have released 5 albums including Under The Pipal Tree, One Step More And You Die, Walking Cloud and Deep Red Sky, Flag Fluttered and the Sun Shined, You Are There and Hymn To The Immortal Wind. Like the other bands mentioned they stir up so much emotion with their songs using only their instruments to speak for them. Take in a breathe and listen:
"The Kidnapper Bell (Live)" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c
"A Speeding Car" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c
"Halcyon (Beautiful Days)" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c
"Are You There" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c
"Follow The Map" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c
These bands should have some effect on almost everyone who hears them and make great accompaniment to laying in bed as you drift away. Soothing and beautiful for what they evoke from your emotions through each song. Such underrated acts that will be those hidden gems for years to come. Close Your Eyes...
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