Epic 45 - In All The Empty Houses (CD)

Trying to review 'In All The Empty Houses' by Epic 45 is a rather difficult exercise, a band it's awfully hard to categorise. They straddle the divide between tender melancholy pop & chiming, atmospheric post rock, definitely within the realms of the sound universe created by bands such as Disco Inferno, Bark Psychosis & Hood but more dreamy, and less edgy with a very gentle dynamic. The bass lines thrum & bob searchingly as wistful, chiming guitarscapes & homely swathes of subtle electronics are enveloped by a wistful half-spoken vocal. They seem to me very sensual in their approach, creating mini...erm "epics" of melancholy, immaculately produced ambient rock with a very British sensibility. I can hear just how they've honed their particular brand of audio enlightenment to perfection and it's quite affirming to hear a band of this calibre at the top of their game. I think the trick with them is to create something comforting & familiar but still distinctive & magical, imbuing their twinkly, chiming structures with a really soothing, layered majesty which at times sounds like the calm after say, 65daysofstatic's storm, a very satisfying blend of rock & electronic instrumentation with a certain finesse. Tasty digipak, CD only, on Make Mine Music!