Deep Elm Records has passed me by unoticed in the past but not anymore. Here is another instrumental album released on the label. This time it is the Italian band I Am Sonic Rain that releases their album Between Whales and Feverish Lights. It bears some resemblance to UK band Last Lungs but I think that this is a calmer record, more similar to Sigur Ros.
There are actually songs that have sounds similar to whale song, just listen to It Had the Sound of a Long Goodbye, a very atmospheric song. There are quite big contrasts in almost every song, from gentle strumming to full on rock with crashing cymbals. Somehow I do not feel that some the songs grab my attention as other similar bands’ songs do. If I turn my attention away from the music it almost fades away. I am not saying that this is a bad record, not at all. However, when it comes to the slower songs, that is when these Italians shine. The closing title track might be the perfect night music.
I must say that Last Lungs got my eyes more open to this kind of rock and this is also a quite nice record, although I feel that songs are a bit weaker here than on the Last Lungs album. Still, worth checking out if you are fan of Mogwai and such bands. Overall, a good effort from a band that I hope to hear more from in the future.
