Reckless Engineers

Epic45's Reckless Engineers is their first full-length album. Given a longer duration, their post-rock acquires a stronger cinematic feel, and it works well. The lineup for this album consists of Ben Holton, Roger Glover (guitar and keyboards), Mark Oldfield (drums), Scott Massey (keyboards), and Matt Kelly (guitar), plus the Joseph Pilato Quartet adding strings and piano on a couple of cuts. The dreamy guitar lines evoke Do Make Say Think, Glider, or the Ochre Records crew (Stylus, Skyray, Land of Nod). There's not much character in this music, not much of a strong identity coming through, but the pieces flow nicely, the musicianship is more than enough, and Epic45 clearly understands how to establish mood. The opener, "Do Nothing Until You Hear From Me," will remain unsurpassed. Its slow pace and lightly psychedelic riff recall More-era Pink Floyd, while the interference-like electronics add a modern feel. It is the perfect post-rock song, daydreaming-friendly while still capable of captivating the close-inspecting listener. The psychedelic connection comes back with "Like a Crowbar, Humour Separated Us," Holton's delicate vocals having that special "discorporated" feel. The piano-led "August Passed Away Unnoticed" constitutes another highlight. The album ends with the only other track with vocals, "Shorebound," a more alternative radio-friendly song originally released on the group's first EP. ~ François Couture, Rovi