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Godspeed You! Black Emperor | Yanqui U.X.O.

We know where the landmines lie, and although we can't avoid stepping on them, we sure know when and where they'll hit us.
CD, Constellation/Konkurrent

Tekst: Bas Ickenroth

Publicatiedatum: 19 november 2002

Let's not talk about the politics and beliefs. Let's not even talk about the stirred-up relationship with the press. And let's not begin to wonder why they put the exclamation mark two words back. For once, let's try to focus on the music.

According to the hipsters, Godspeed You! Black Emperor's 15 minutes of fame are almost gone. The new album is just more of the same, the real adventure is gone, there's no experimentalism anymore, blah, blah, blah. Indeed, Yanqui U.X.O. isn't as suprising as their earlier recordings, but why is that? Because, previously, we didn't know what to expect. We were overwhelmed and awestruck. But now, we know where the landmines lie, and although we can't avoid stepping on them, we sure know when and where they'll hit us. I ask you, if this is the main problem, why are those same hipsters now full of praise for the Libertines, the Datsuns, and who cares what other names, when you can even see where they're planting those little firecrackers in the ground?

The one thing that is very different this time is the absence of atmospheric field recordings, speeches, and the like. Yanqui U.X.O. consists entirely of studio-made music. Three suites in 75 minutes, filled with instrumental sounds that are able to tell you more in those minutes than some people can tell you in a whole lifetime. The melancholic melodies, the intensity, the drama: all ingredients that were already present before. Predictable, yes. A bad thing, no. Because the quality is as predictable as the rest. Once again, GY!BE are able to create an overwhelming musical landscape, where there seems to be no place for optimism and joy. I bet they'd call it reality. Their reality. Especially 'Rockets Fall on Rocket Falls' sounds darker and more apocalyptic than anything they've ever recorded before. The piece sounds threatening and huge, even angry. At the end, there's some sort of triumph happening, but you just know only a few survivors are able to witness the victory. 'Motherfucker = Redeemer' is fairly up-tempo the first ten minutes, but then slowly melts into a long, plaintive piece of guitar and violin ambience. It's those soft-loud dynamics that GY!BE gets the most criticism for, but on Yanqui U.X.O., the formula still works superbly. The album's starter '09-15-00' is closest to their last album Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven, and is just as good.

Having said all this, I think this is where they have to bake themselves a new cake. All the pieces are gone, all that is left are some crumbles that are almost stale. Yanqui U.X.O. is another beautiful piece of work by one of most orginal bands in the world, but if this nine-piece wants to continue to make a difference, the time has come to seek new ingredients, to search for new grounds. All is said and done here, and we still believe you with all our hearts, dear GY!BE members. If you want us to believe in the future, as well, let's move on.

http://www.kindamuzik.net/recensie/godspeed-you-black-emperor/yanqui-u-x-o/2072/
Meer Godspeed You! Black Emperor op KindaMuzik: http://www.kindamuzik.net/artiest/godspeed-you-black-emperor