It
was early yesterday when I read the statement that Godspeed You! Black Emperor
posted in response to winning the Polaris Music Prize.
“3 quick bullet-points that
almost anybody could agree on maybe-
-Holding
a gala during a time of austerity and normalized decline is a weird thing to
do.
-Organizing
a gala just so musicians can compete against each other for a novelty-sized
cheque doesn’t serve the cause of righteous music at all.
-Asking the Toyota motor company to help cover the tab for
that gala, during a summer where the melting northern ice caps are
live-streaming on the internet, IS FUCKING INSANE, and comes across as
tone-deaf to the current horrifying malaise.”
I instantly have a ton more
respect for a band I already respected.
Not because they dissed the people that gave them a 30,000 dollar prize
for their album Don’t Bend, Ascend,
but because they did it so well.
If you read the whole statement from the band (which will be posted
below) it is almost impossible to restrain laughter. A band that is characterized by their dark post rock sound
and soundtrack-ish vibe has a hell of a sense of humor and phrasing.
It was partly due to the
sentiments expressed in the statement that made me think I want to listen to Godspeed You! Black Emperor again, like right away. I remember listening to their new
album when it came out, but it was more background music than it was a focused
listen. After a more focused
second listen and a (guilt worthy) lack of attention to anything else, I have
to say that I thoroughly enjoyed Don’t
Bend, Ascend. It was well put
together on so many levels.
Definitely not for the faint of heart, since the whole album has their
signature shoe-gazey, melancholy, not-quite-angry-but-festering feel and gets
really dark at times (actually for most of the record, but to varying degrees). Almost in defiance of these qualities, Don’t Bend, Ascend seems to serve a
greater purpose in general. A completely feel based experience, the string
arrangements have qualities that can only be compared to Explosions in the Sky
at their absolute best, and Moving Mountains at their most melodic, which is
ironic because I am almost positive that the latter was heavily influenced by Explosions and Godspeed You!
This record is also incredibly
in depth and stripped down all at the same time, showing a musical prowess that
is award worthy, especially the bagpipe introduction and use of the texture as an
ambient layer the whole way through Mladic
(but don’t tell Godspeed You! Black Emperor that, I don’t want an internet
smack-down because of my praise…Don’t worry Godspeed You! I won’t be offering
you a prize check). What I will
offer is this; a thank you on behalf of America for being so damn entertaining on
your albums and so wonderfully aloof in your off stage antics. Here is hoping you get more awards with
money attached so you can rip the “culture-money” backers to shreds once again.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor On Their Polaris Award
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