Austin's Balmorhea (pronounced Bal-mor-ray) wander down a uniquely Southwestern footpath of the Post-Rock template on All Is Wild, All Is Silent, constructing a sound equal parts country gloom and romantic crescendo. Unlike the subdued, occasionally overly-mannered approach the band took as a duo on previous recordings, now expanded to a sextet, Balmorhea charge ahead into sonic expanses both breathtakingly desolate and ornately lush. Nowhere is this better exemplified than on the opening track, "Settler," where a bright, loping piano figure is darkly augmented by a cello until the full band kicks in to send the song reeling towards a Post-Rock catharsis. Other songs are built around lovely acoustic guitar and banjo parts that manage to simultaneously echo Classical and Folk idioms while never fully resorting to either. This is an album full of distinctive melodies, dynamic arrangements, and unexpected turns, which make it well-worth returning to again and again. Truly great stuff.
