Fun Fun Fun Fest 2014 Sunday Reviews

This Will Destroy You

The story of This Will Destroy You, as it is with so many bands, is one of refinement, rather than development. Thus, Another Language, studio follow-up to 2013 overview Live in Reykjavik, Iceland, finds the San Marcos quartet continuing to hone its established aesthetic. Less dissonant than Explosions in the Sky or heavy as Mogwai, TWDY prefers uplifting melodies powered by widescreen dynamics, with an orchestral feel that bespeaks careful attention paid to the sonic impact of the arrangements. You might find yourself wishing the band's music would spiral hellward at least once, but when the quartet hits its mark – burly "War Prayer," dramatic "Invitation," and majestic "New Topia" – it hits hard, stirring emotions like the soundtrack composers with whom the band should be competing in the first place. (12:30pm, Orange stage)