Incorrectly labeled as post-rock, 59:59 clocks in just under the hour mark, thanks to protests from the label to produce a tight collection of tracks. There is a variety of minimalism on display throughout the album: understated loops, disinterested and ethereal vocals, simple piano repeats, hazy synths and a sustained build and release format.
59:59 comes Jason Pierce endorsed, and fans of his earlier material may find an awkward but happy home here, likewise Portishead fans that liked the industrial challenge of `Third' may enjoy Sian Alice Group's work. They mine a similar vein to both these artists, albeit more lo-fi than Spiritualized and less abrasive than
Third.
`Contours' is true to its name, feeling like a fighter-jet flying over low terrain, but all in slow motion. The feel is reminiscent therefore of some ancient flight simulator you may have played on the Atari. `Motionless' adds some welcome beats to this seemingly exclusive party, spicing up the near featureless landscape. The album is bleak for sure, but rewards the listener. It has a general coherency in its art that lends it toward the soundtrack genre, where the only complaint is that later tracks taper into esoteric mumbling, allowing the album to fall toward the future forgotten classic it may yet become.