Review: All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone - Explosions in the Sky

Picture yourself hunkered down in the movie theater, hand deep in a bucket of buttery popcorn, as you watch the ultimate summer flick. The dialogue is touching, the drama compelling, and, for the guys, stuff is blowing up. But one thing is missing: the stunning soundtrack. What is a summer blockbuster without a rousing score?! Now what if this was your life? You've no stirring strings to highlight your tender moments, no ripping guitars to frame your hi-jinks on the freeway. Explosions in the Sky, a post-rock instrumental quartet, is out to fill that void with their sixth release, All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone.

The Austin-based group is no stranger to soundtrack work. In fact, in 2004 the group found themselves contracted to score the Peter Berg film, Friday Night Lights. The match was perfect as three of the members grew up in the area the film depicts. Yet, Explosion in the Sky's sound transcends the world of movies. Their progressive take on rock 'n roll recalls the work of groups like Sigur Ros and signals a hopeful move toward renewed creativity and exploration.

All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone contains a mere six tracks which weigh in at 43 minutes and is also being released as a two-disc album to independent retailers; the second disc featuring remixes by the likes of Jesu, Mountains, Adem, Four Tet, Eluvium, and the Paper Chase. These tracks are tough to describe because they blur the lines between ambient backgrounds and stirring instrumentals. The absence of any vocals only aids in muddying these interesting waters. Truly, this is music to be listened to and perhaps even integrated into one's own experience, crafting a soundtrack for life.