Over the years, post-rock has lost much of that shine that it was originally known for. A great deal of instrumental bands today are using that basic post-rock formula of quiet to loud, back to quiet, with reverb painted within. Beverly, Massachusetts Caspian took on a whole new approach in 2012 with their release of Waking Season. Waking Season helped place Caspian alongside the innovative legends of the genre. They went beyond the atmosphere and textures, and expanded their approach with the addition of rhythm, melody, beats, and synthetic vocal effects. While Waking Season took the band higher up in the genre, their newest effort Dust and Disquiet takes them even higher. This album shows that there is an unlimited musical palette with post-rock, and that it doesn't have to be limited to a rehash of previous pioneers.
The album starts off with "Separation No. 2", a beautiful and soothing opener that combines a repetitive guitar piece with strings, keys, and even a saxophone, evoking the emotion that Caspian are always great at delivering. "Rioseco" and "Arcs of Command" are very similar in format and well over seven minutes. "Rioseco" has a softer, more ambient approach while "Arcs of Command" has a more aggressive, hard-hitting feel. My favorite track on the album, "Echo and Abyss", brings these looping and vocal effects center stage. It is a hauntingly beautiful gem. Caspian takes a quick breather with "Run Dry", which combines acoustic guitar with some of the most heartfelt vocals that I've heard in recent years. "Darkfield" is rich with electronic pulses and could easily be used as a hard-rock soundtrack for outer space. These are easily the standout tracks for me, but the remaining songs on Dust and Disquiet are just as innovative as the ones mentioned.
Dust and Disquiet is a monumental record and Caspian's best to date. It is a hopeful and peaceful record, even at its heaviest moments. These six genre-bending geniuses are in a league of their own, and Dust and Disquiet is their greatest achievement (that is... until their next one).
Hear Dust and Disquiet in its entirety here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCbDtgbWZAs
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