White Fields and Open Devices

I bought this album off the back of hearing 'Yuki' being played by Guy Garvey on BBC 6, and excellent piece of electronica with a vocal laid over the top. However, must tracks have a mix of guitars and drums, but altogether an excellent album, i would heartily recommend it to anyone.

As Sigur Rós continue their fascination with trying to out-Coldplay Chris Martin and co on their recent, uninspired `Með Suð í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust' album, they've left a vacancy at the pinnacle of the big, bold and brash epic rock genre that needs to be filled fast.. And Vessels may just be the very band to oblige. This Leeds-based quintet have spent the best part of three years touring the length and breadth of the UK honing their sound, while purposefully adding subtle components to their arsenal. Now they've hit pay dirt on full-length debut `White Fields and Open Devices'.

Roping in John Congleton, of Explosions in the Sky fame, for production duties is clearly a shrewd move. An experienced technician in the dynamics of the core of Vessels sound, Congleton adds his absorbing touch and expertise to re-workings of fan favourites `Happy Accident' and `Look at that Cloud!'. The former, a euphoric slab of electro infused post-rock, utilises crackling beats, distorted guitar and spaghetti western harmonica to devastating effect, like 65Daysofstatic in a head on collision with Souvenir's Young America. While those who don't go weak at the knees during the avalanching crescendo of the latter may want to check they still have a pulse.

Eclecticism is the key to this record. Vessels, like a world class football team, can operate in any number of formations without hindering the result. `Altered Beast' is a blistering opener, a dizzying amalgam of math rhythms, taut guitar interplay and sci-fi synths. `A Hundred Times in Every Direction' is equally as venomous, especially for a lead single, yet there's appeal to the bittersweet harmonies that soar above the thundering percussion and rasping guitar.

The band change styles quicker than you can say Sigur Rós have lost the plot since they signed to Geffen. `Walking Through the Walls' builds its melody through forlorn acoustic guitar and soulful vocals, upon clipped electronic beats that will appease fans of Type Records (with Mokira and RJ Valeo particularly springing to mind). `Treus Heurs' finds the band changing tact again, operating in a dark and desolate industrial landscape of gliding guitar arpeggios, metallic scree and digital detritus.

Far from losing cohesion or interrupting the overall flow of the record, each of the 10 tracks featured here are distinctively Vessels, whether they are in a post-rock, math-rock or electronic mood. It's fitting that the band sign off with a triptych of their most commercially appealing tracks, for this young outfit are clearly intent on going places. The poignant, piano-led `Yuki', the melancholic, yet infectious `Two Words & a Gesture' and the expansive `Wave Those Arms, Airmen' all suitably and uniquely add to the impact of this record. There's a real sense of accomplishment and sense of depth to Vessels debut, with their disregard for genre restrictions and compositional poise shining in tandem with an exuberant and passionate, youthful edge.

Now over to you Jonsi!

Ok so there is so many post rock bands now that, some bands are just carbon copies, of Explosions in the sky or Mogwai.
Thankfully Vessels aren't one of these, they could fall in to post rock thing, though there is some excellent vocals, they could also fall in to progressive rock with a touch of old jazz, and a splashing of electronic music, you can't really pigeon hole them.
The album stars with Alter beast, starts pretty full on, lots of layers, very loopy guitar riffs, fat sounding complex bass, and absolutely wonderful driving drumming( actually one of the best drummers I have ever seen), the song builds with layers just as you think here we go, normal chaos post rock thing, they drop back down, then drop in a heavy bit, back out again, then it launches into such beautiful but heavy guitar lines, this is Vessels, God damn original.
Every song on this album is different, different structures, tempos,short songs, long songs, and on 1st listen you just don't know where these songs are going, actually after 6 listens you still get surprised and lost.The track 'Trois heures' has so many changes yet is so fluid, from one part to the next.
Not a bad track, not even close, in years to come this will a classic reissued and remastered CD( though it is excellently recorded) it was produced my John Congleton who did the Explosions in the Sky albums.
Stand out tracks 'Trois heures','Happy Accident', 'Idle brain and Devils workshop' and 'Look at that cloud'.
I first saw this band supporting another band I went to see, and when Vessels came on, myself and my good buddy, were overwhelmed, the thing is Vessels produce this sound live as well.
Even though at times there are 3 guitars, bass and drums you can still hear everything clearly, the melodies shine through, at times there is even two drummers.
So if you like Mogwai, Explosions in the Sky, Oceansize, Tool, Sigur Ros, God is an Astronaut, This will destroy you ( who they supported and blew 'This will Destroy' you off the stage, I found this will Destroy very samey and had the worst image ever, good albums though), Jakob,65 Days of Static you will love this.
Buy it today and enjoy
Classic.