It wasn't long ago that Texas natives This Will Destroy You were nothing more than a well-kept secret. But thanks to a solid debut album and a little luck the band went from practically unknowns to indie music darlings. As a result the band's debut full-length, This Will Destroy You, was placed atop many individuals lists of the most anticipated records of 2008. This Will Destroy You have completely blown all expectations I had of this album to smithereens and released what could possibly be the album of the year.
This Will Destroy You opens with "A Three-Legged Workhorse." The nine-minute track floats by as the instrumental quartet of guitarists Jeremy Galindo and Chris King, bassist Raymond Brown, and drummer Andrew Miller have assembled an atmospheric moody number that reaches beyond previous conceptions that I had for the group. They have become so much more than just another post-rock group. "Villa Del Refugio" continues the listening experience in similar fashion as it opens with delay-induced guitars. The song moves on and dabbles more towards the experimental/ambient style than the previous venture.
"Threads" is very much in line with the sound heard on the band's EP, Young Mountain. Present are soothing and lush guitar tones, the soft and meandering basslines, and well-paced drumming resulting in a sound similar to Explosions in the Sky. "Leather Wings" follows and is the shortest track of the album at just over three minutes. Despite its shortness, This Will Destroy You has constructed a song that doesn't feel short-changed.
"The Mighty Rio Grande" lives up to its name, as the song is an enormous eleven-plus minutes long of cascading post-rock goodness. "They Move on Tracks of Never-Ending Light" comes together as the perfect fusion of organic and industrialized sounds with its lush soundscapes meeting electronic drumbeats; the sounds never clash though, in fact they gel perfectly.
"Burial on the Presidio Banks" is a brilliant conclusion to This Will Destroy You. The music evokes emotions of sadness and longing that one might encounter during a funeral, but hidden beneath are also those feelings of love and hope. The goosebumps on my arms are sign enough that This Will Destroy You knows how to craft songs that anyone can relate to.
There really are only so many ways in which I can talk up this album to you. So do yourself a favor and purchase a copy of This Will Destroy You as it is an essential listen for 2008.
