From the Kyoto Republic Netlabel comes a post-rock/trip hop album by Jean Nine. The moods on this album can be described as dark, brooding and sometimes somewhat cold. This is really some laid back stuff. One thing I didn’t really like about the album is how it can get too laid back although there were certainly some high points in songs like Vanishing World which only came at the end. A few more exciting moments here and there would have added greater contrast to the music.

Instead, the listener is treated to an endless number of what I would call “intro tracks” that seem to be similar themed which keeps the listener’s experience suspended in a similar mood, time and space. Cold is the Wind but Colder is the Arms of the Night, Breaking the Sine Waves and Interstellar Conventions all seem to explore similar ground and did not in anyway push the listening experience any further.

However, the album is not without its strong points. Slower Traffic Keep Right is a very nice and smooth trip hop song. Vanishing World was an orchestral post rock track that nicely closed out the album and featured less melancholy and more excitement.

Overall, this is still an album worth listening to and probably a good starting point for those who haven’t heard post-rock before.

Favourite Tracks:
Slower Traffic Keep Right
Everything sounds right here and I loved the way the track sped up towards the end as more and more elements are brought into the mix.

Vanishing World
12 minute epic track. Features a prominent electric guitar and slowly builds up to an amazing crescendo.