Explosions In The Sky

Instrumental rock seems just a bit tougher to pull off than regular-old rock with vocals. Typically our personal connection with a song lies in the singer's words and voice. After all you sing along to your favorite tune, you usually don't strum along. The lack of vocals really forces a band to push the limits of song in order to fill the void. Consequently, instrumental rock either comes off as overly ambitious or just too repetitive.

That said, I was amazed when I first heard Explosions In The Sky. This band isn't just great by instrumental rock standards, it's great by any rock standards. Powerful soundscapes are paired with subtle melodies and delivered through complex arrangements that are still within arm's length of you ear. Check out their latest release, All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone. If you like what you hear, there's plenty more where that came from. Explosions' catalog features four full-length albums and one EP (available for free on their website), as well as the soundtrack for the film Friday Night Lights.