Godspeed You Black Emperor - Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven Album Review

Godspeed You Black Emperor
Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven
Rykodisc
Album Review

With a barrage of pigeonholes and genres flying around, it is a little difficult to find an appropriate tag for a band who make a double CD with just the 4 songs, the shortest of which chips in at 19 minutes. While the band seem comfortable with 'post rock', there is little doubt that this album contains space rock, anthemic rock, orchestral noise and no vocals. Radiohead's Thom Yorke is a big fan, and it is easy to see why - Godspeed is the kind of album that used to keep people glued to their record decks in the 1970s - think Vangelis or Pink Floyd. All cinematic sweeps and dynamic beauty, this is almost the opposite of a Girls Aloud album - it's not for the kids. It also isn't for dipping in and out of; nor is it something you should expect to hear on Radio 2 in a hurry. It is, however, a phenomenal way to spend an hour and a half with your headphones. Gathering Storm may hit 22 minutes, but the Feeder-like rock will have you holding your breath throughout. If you like Sigur Ros, but find them a bit anaemic, Godspeed You Black Emperor are your band.

4/5

Mike Rea