This Will Destroy You

(Magic Bullet)

American Analog Set once delivered demos of Explosions in the Sky’s debut to imprint Temporary Residence labeled, “This fucking destroys.” San Marcos-based quartet This Will Destroy You knowingly bridges those two seminal Austin influences through elongated suites of glacial post-rock and electronic ambience, providing a soundtrack to rapid eye movements. Produced by the Paper Chase’s John Congleton, who also helmed EITS All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone, the band’s sophomore, eponymous outing never spends too much time in either terrain, evidenced by the soaring nine-minute opener, “A Three-Legged Workhorse,” which fades into the humming electrical current of “Villa del Refugio.” Eleven-minute cornerstone “The Mighty Rio Grande” cascades into “The Move on Tracks of Never-Ending Light,” a ruminative guitar interlude sheltered with a sleet of television snow. “Burial on the Presidio Breaks” closes the album with a casual crescendo that won’t destroy you but might leave you breathless. (Saturday, March 15, Hideout, 11pm.)

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This article appears in March 14 • 2008.

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