The Evpatoria Report - Maar

The Evpatoria Report. Maar. 2008. 4.5 stars

Switzerland’s The Evpatoria Report play some of the lushest post-rock since Explosions in the Sky broke unto the divisive scene years ago. Their sophomore album Maar reconfirms the genre’s ability to foster invention and intense catharsis. Whereas numerous Mogwai and EITS copycats have been marginalized for their derivative efforts, The Evpatoria Report is just as expansive, detailed and dripping with cinematic atmosphere as the genre’s seemingly untouchable innovators.

The key to this album’s success is not its heartbreaking melodies, or its masterful union of ambient and neoclassical elements. What fasciantes me about Maar is its incredible restraint - each epic track here takes its time to slowly swell with dramatic tension, letting the drones, synths, violins and jangly guitars breathe and play against each other. No great deal of patience is required, because the effect these orchestral elements have is not monotonous or overwrought, but soothing, hypnotic and above all emotionally stirring.

You can take the drawn out, synth lined opener of “Eighteen Robins Road” or the mournful, sighing strings of “Mithridate” as evidence of the band’s remarkable sensitivity to tone, texture and atmosphere. Its not all rain-soaked sentiment though, as there are creative electronic touches to be found here and there, some intricate drum work and mysterious spoken-word samples to liven up this beautiful movie-never-made.

The Evpatoria Report have reaffirmed by passions for post-rock as they have shown great maturity in their compositions and have moved beyond the conventional crescendo building that has driven so many a good band to formulaic ruin. While Maar may be a incredibly relaxed (and long) listen, it still tugs at the heartstrings with great subtlety and precision. Artful, compelling, a hidden masterpiece.

The Evpatoria Report - Eighteen Robins Road. [1/2]

[2/2]

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