Istilldream - Ferguson

Istilldream

Ferguson
self-released; 2014

3.6 out of 5

By Ethan Skelton 

It’s become somewhat of a buzzword at this point. Ferguson. What thoughts come to mind? I’m sure we’re all on the same page. Now, I can see making a song with this title, but I don’t necessarily think the album deserved such a name. It speaks much more about different things than just one controversial and racketed news event. In their defense, istilldream devote over 17 minutes to telling their tale of that tragic day – a tale wound with eerie stretches of noise and police responder recordings amongst other moody elements. 

It’s several minutes until this song cares to venture into standard movement with sparse drums and quivering guitar. Around the nine-minute mark things begin to take off and we can feel the tension lurking around the corner, ready to break, and it does like a quick burst of double time and amplified wails. All of this is a musical metaphor for the shots fired and the confusion and unrest that followed. Levels balance shortly but right before the end they regain their aggression and hammer home a few more passages of wild rock and synesthesia.

The remainder of the album plays like slow, sweet expansion. The chords are anchored by a gentle electronic hum that just permeates like second nature. To tell these songs apart becomes less important because the continuous experience takes hold and affirms this album’s narrative. Some beautifully intense moments hide within what might seem to be an ocean of low energy, best exemplified on “taught to hold our breaths underwater.” 

If you don’t discover a new appreciation for post rock after that song I question your musical horizons. Istilldream is aptly named, conveying an imaginative and interpersonal connection with the listener.  Most of their song names are far reaching and more like crafted statements but it works. This music is fair game for more than your typical one or three word titling. It paints an image that eventually develops into a story as these drawn out tunes envelop the room. Set aside some time and lose yourself in Ferguson.

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