Always The Runner
Always The Runner (2004)
Brian Shultz
Very few instrumental bands pique my interest; Always The Runner is the newest addition to this exclusive list.
Taking cues from Mineral or Low Level Owl: Vol. 1-ish Appleseed Cast minus vocals, the band utilizes floating octaves and atomspheric guitar harmonies that slowly glide through the foreground. Always The Runner somehow manage to find a way to capitalize on their influences without ripping them off. Maybe it's because half the time there isn't a complete wall of sound, but most other times, the music certainly puts forth an aura not far from Explosions in the Sky, like "Speaking of Paliminos," with its rapid drum fills and soaring, layered guitar harmonies. Though it may not be as accomplished as EITS in terms of ridiculously dreamy, lush arrangements, it comes fairly close, carefully piling one instrument over the other to create soothing, moving musical tones, with guitar, piano, bass, and percussion.
The subtle snare roll and subsequent light crash midway through "Let's See If You Bastards Can Do 90!" (bonus points for the "Back to the Future" reference) actually marginalizes the rest of what is a great little song, only because its short-burst effectiveness is so noteworthy. Actually, quiet drum rolls are scattered throughout the disc; this just happens to be its best usage. The song's abrupt ending also exemplifies another quality of the band - sudden conclusions to songs, which is an odd quality considering most instrumental bands let their pieces slowly fade out.
The band isn't complete instrumentals though: the first and last tracks showcase a short portion of the soft vocals of drummer Chad Favre, which end up coming off somewhat like more trippy Sunny Day Real Estate sound bites, philosophical in feel and fragile in touch.
Fans of Explosions in the Sky should definitely take note, especially if beautiful, atmospheric, delicate post-rock instrumental is your thing.
MP3s