I first heard Pelican about two years ago when Joemama let me borrow Australasia, along with a CD by the band 5ive (he didn’t get them back for almost a year, my bad). Anyway, what struck me about Pelican’s first album was the wall of sonic distortion that hit me; my ears struggled through it all to pick out the nuances hiding behind that wall.
On the Fire in Our Throats Will Beckon the Thaw, the melodies are more upfront, but there is still plenty of cool things in the background. Also, it doesn’t seem as heavy as Australasia.
The only negative thing I can say about this record is that it is too bombastic at times, or like Creed without their ridiculous singer. That’s a pretty shitty thing to say, but I dare you to listen to this and tell me I’m wrong.
Aside from that, this is a series of dynamic songs with lots of twin guitar attack on your soul, some quiet moments and then just when you think it’s gonna be alright, they destroy your eardrums again. I can get behind that.
Maybe the secret weapon is the bass player. He lays down just enough to give the songs more than solid foundation, and not to get involved with the guitar histrionics that are Pelican. If you are down with bands like Isis, or even Mogwai, check this out.