Post Rock: Background Music as a Genre

There have been a million comments made about how bands like Godspeed! You Black Emperor and Explosions in the Sky sound like they should be in the soundtrack to a movie. Their music is peaceful, ambient, and generally instrumental. In 2004, the music of Explosions in the Sky was paired with the mediocre football film Friday Night Lights. Then in 2006 Mogwai was called on to score the documentary about legendary French football player, Zinadane Zidane called Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait.

Since the use of post-rock in films went from discussion fodder to actuality, the genre has dropped off significantly. Explosions in the Sky released the poorly-rated All of the Sudden, I Miss Everyone and Mogwai's Mr. Beast and The Hawk is Howling were received to little excitement by otherwise-adoring fans. I'm sure that its only coencidence that the genre began to dissapate around the same time that its music began finding its way into popular films... but it makes you wonder. Many of the artists found that there is little room for progression in a genre that takes so much pride in minimalism.

I have compiled a few of my favorite post-rock albums as a bit of a retrospective to the genre. This list is by no means all-inclusive (like Sandals Jamaica). I'm sure I will miss a few gems.


Godspeed You! Black Emperor - “Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven” EP Kranky Records, 2000 (Canadian orchestra-rock that utilizes samples and an onslaught of musicians)


A Silver Mt. Zion - “He Has Left Us Alone but Shafts of Light Sometimes Grace the Corners of Our Rooms”, Constellation Records, 2000 (features members of the aforementioned Godspeed You! Black Emperor)


The Album Leaf - “In a Safe Place” Sub Pop Records, 2004 (Electronic ambience with minimal vocals. One of two bands that I've seen live that required a bathroom break halfway through the set)


Explosions in the Sky - “The Earth in Not a Cold Dead Place”, Temporary Residence Limited, 2003
(Texas Post-Rock that helped bring the genre into popular culture)


Mogwai - “My Father, My King” EP Matador Records, 2001
(Scottish band known for being organ-rattling loud)