Some months ago, I reviewed Brian and Chris' "Palimpsest" 12" ep, which was quite nice. But this full length (featuring "Crossing", which was on the aforementioned vinyl, and 5 more tracks) is way more stunning, and definitely one of the best instrumental post-rock albums that I've listened to in a while. Switching a theory of instruments (the "rock" ones plus organs, pianos, Russian dulcimer, electric tanpura, pan pipes...), this impressive duo writes, to put it bluntly, memorable songs. Arrangements are complex and refinate, but melodies and rhythmic patterns always emerge as prominent features, while the electronic programmings (which were more evident in the 12", I think) are used with taste and skill. I know that the term is abused, but "cinematic" came to my mind quite often (ok, note that the project was actually born to score a friend's movie). Brian and Chris are gitfted with the one true standpoint in all good post-rock bands, that is, visionary synthesis: the result is a sort of modern easy-listening rock, and the main reference would be Tortoise circa "TNT" and "Standards" (though "3" is far more successful than the latter). Two thumbs up for this one.