Website
Music
Self-released
Buy

Score: 6/10

A little over two months ago the debut release by Tim, Face Berlin was reviewed here at TSB by Gary Davidson, a three-track demo by the name of We Could Wait Forever.  In his review, Gary was quick to point out that Tim, Face Berlin is a purveyor of something that has become commonly known as ‘generic post-rock’ music. That is, songs based around the premise of slow build and loud satisfying release, all the while calling to mind numerous other bands that plough the same field.  It would be lovely to say that Youth, the band’s new EP, builds substantially on the first collection, catapulting the band from talented upstarts to potential contenders in a genre hungry for fresh ideas.  It would be lovely, but unfortunately it isn’t going to happen, as Youth sees this Swedish five-piece continue to produce enjoyable yet structurally predictable instrumental rock music.

A lot like We Could Wait Forever, Youth features strong musicianship and a deft talent for packing quite an emotional punch into the music.  Of the four tracks here, three work the quiet/loud dynamic to its fullest, and each has an impressive hit rate when it comes to those soaring climaxes.  The major problem is that it still all seems rather too familiar, and the Explosions in the Sky comparisons (especially on the opening track “Paths”) remain inescapable. In a month where My Education and fellow Swedes Ef, have both released post-rock albums of refreshing quality, Youth can’t help but feel like a bit of a backward step.

However, let us disregard the previous two paragraphs for a moment. The world is now an EITS-less place; the group’s hulking great shadow (and that of all its many imitators) has been removed from the instrumental rock landscape.  In this world that nagging voice that incessantly whispers ‘this shit sounds kind of familiar…’ has fallen silent.  To these new virgin ears Youth becomes an immensely enjoyable and thrilling listen. “Paths” features a charming and earnest melody that builds to a predictable yet grin-inducing, well executed climax. “Flight” sees more prominent use of the sax and is a relative curve ball by providing the fireworks in the middle of the track rather than the end, with a flurry of almost metal guitar frenzy. 

Unfortunately, this world is not the one we live in, and as a result the lack of originality plays an inevitable factor in the enjoyment of this EP. This young band set out to make soaring post-rock, and that is exactly what it achieves. Closing track “Lake” is a fine crystallization of  Time Face Berlin’s hard work. Gary finished his review by stating that this will certainly be a band to keep an eye if the initial demo release can be ‘improved and innovated upon’.  This EP is a step forward in the simple terms that these are stronger and more engaging songs; however, there appears to be little innovation here.  Rather than a band to watch out for, Tim, Face Berlin seems set to become a reliable, enjoyable, but all too workmanlike, post-rock act.

–Matt Fernell

Written By: host
Date Posted: 4/16/2010
Number of Views: 461