Explosions in the Sky

Bonnaroo

Explosions in the Sky is a post-rock band formed in Austin, Texas in 1999. Like many artists classified as "post-rock," E.I.T.S relies mostly on instrumentals. The band consists of three electric-guitarists and a drummer, who carry the band through many eight-plus minute odysseys. The songs are structured like a film might be, the song begins slowly but build up to a climax that usually occurs with about two minutes left in the song. I'll admit that I am unfamiliar with most bands who consider themselves post-rock, and my discovery of this band did not come in an ordinary fashion.

Bright Eyes. Sometimes uplifting.

Bright Eyes is the name of the band headlined my Connor Oberst (lead vocals and guitar mostly, occasionally bass and piano), accompanied by Mike Morgis and Nate Walcott (many instruments) and frequently joined by whoever they feel like at the time. Connor is a prolific artist and cranks out about 1 album per year and a half, as well as contributing to many collaborations, putting out solo projects, and other ventures. The tone of his songs vary greatly, but his overall outlook seems to be that life is sad, but worth it; tragic, but funny; and lovely, but lonely. Connor's songs can take you to the darkest depths of human emotion. He has songs about being alone, depression, drugs, death, and suicide. He also has songs that speak to a great hopefulness of trying to live happily in the face of existence's futility. Some songs are just plain happy too. Others still are hard to categorize. This post will focus on some of my favorite happy songs of his.

the Mountain Goats

To preface:
This is the first in a planned series of four posts, which may be reduced as my procrastination sees fit. They are being written with the intention of promoting a show so that one of my friends will go with me. Not only is the main attraction one of my favorite bands, but the opening act is also in the top 20. (Bright Eyes with the Mountain Goats opening to stop teasing you.) So without further ado: