Across Tundras - Dark Songs of the Prairie...

In a time now where many are going out and saying to hell with making frenetically paced screamo/hardcore music and taking up producing music of epic post-rock proportions, it is ridiculously hard to weed through all of these bands. Where everyone wants to sound like the next Isis or Pelican, it just makes it all that much harder for those that do take an innovative and different approach to this genre to get noticed. I’ll honestly admit that when I see a RIYL on some page that lists any of the main post metal/rock staples, I am reluctant to give it a shot or a fair listen. I know that’s terrible of me, send me hate mail or whatever, but really it’s the same for me as for others maybe seeing music being compared to Coldplay or something else as ridiculously boring. Anyway, that’s my tiny rant about the genre in general. Over saturation people, it sucks a fat one.

Now comes the part where I make mention of a band that goes against all of the odds and completely destroys any of the imitators around them. Across Tundras does pretty much that. On their debut album Dark Songs of the Prairie it doesn’t just sound barren and absolutely desolate, it feels like it too. It’s not surprising however as member Tanner Olson (Examination of The…, Spirit of Versailles) is from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Living somewhere like that, or anywhere in the Midwest for that matter, will undoubtedly wriggle itself deep into your brain and influence the way do things creatively. Thus, the cold, atmospheric, and timeless qualities this album possesses. It really does set it apart from any direct comparisons, which is quite nice. Often times slow and sludgy sounding, it doesn’t harbor itself too deeply within that. The sound throughout has a very fuzzy 70’s soaked sound to it, even sort of borderline psych here and there.

Across Tundras – Ramblin’ in the Shadows [MP3]
Across Tundras – Cosmic Retribution [MP3]

This is a real nice change of pace for those looking for something with a bit of a different slant, or something that has a very prominent Americana and country feel to it. To pick up Dark Songs of the Prairie head on over to the Crucial Blast website, highly recommended.