A bold first album

Released in early 2000, 26 years ago, Explosions in the Sky released their genre defining album. It wasn't until almost 5 years later, in a dorm room, that I discovered them.

I was using Kazaa to search for an Iggy Pop song I had heard in Friday Night Lights, I Wanna Be Your Dog. I can't tell you how I searched but I ended up finding "Your Hand in Mine w/Strings".

From then it was off to the races. I had to find more of their music and that's how I found "How Strange, Innocence".

When it comes to music I tie songs strongly to memories and experiences more so than any other form of Media. Where video games exist out of time for me, and the best movies grow with me as I get older music triggers an emotional synesthesia in me that I cannot avoid and yet still enjoy.

The album starts off slowly with their second best song of the album "A Song for our Fathers" a wistful guitar is joined by a bass and eventually symbols as the song seems to call to mind a bombastic conversation with and older relative who is old in a powerful memory. A lot of their songs feel this way like memories that haven't quite faded with time and evoke this sweet sadness. Like the last memory of a friend or of a time and place that you moved on from.

The best song of the "Snow and Lights" feels exactly like that. Most songs in this album take their time but Snow and Lights rushes into the emotion, crashing and energetic drums that back a guitar that is dominates the song. Its a full minute of energy before giving way to the softer side of the song.

I am not willing to call "How Strange, Innocence" the best Explosions in the Sky album but it is the best example of what Explosions in the Sky is as a band.