Superlatives: The Nines Festival, Devens, MA (8/10/13)

On August 10, I had the pleasure of attending a fantastic day-long music and arts festival in beautiful central Massachusetts. 2013 was The Nines' first year in existence, but the festival didn't suffer from rookie mistakes (apart, possibly, from the fact that there were only two food carts to cater for the entire audience): the music was seriously excellent, the art displays were vibrant and engaging, and everything about the festival screamed "done right." To give you faithful readers a recap of the festival, we'll give you "superlatives" to describe some of the most memorable moments of the day (and night).

Event Preview: The NINES Festival (Devens, MA, USA)

Prior to this year, it was tough for New England music fans to get out to all-day festivals. Lolla was in Chicago, Bonnaroo was in Tennessee, Coachella was in California. However, this year two excellent festivals have been added. First, the Boston Calling festival (showcasing some of the world's best alternative and indie rock) has been such a major success that the festival's organizers have added a second date after its May premiere in September. Second, and less publicized, The NINES has been created as a way of promoting music in Central Massachusetts. Showcasing artists from all across the musical spectrum (Explosions In The Sky, Delta Spirit, Kid Koala - all the way from post-rock to electronic to more "accessible" music), the festival is sure to impress anyone who plans on going thanks to the wide swath of styles and the quality of all the music which will be there. The festival's introductory press release is below:

Album Review: Explosions In The Sky - Take Care, Take Care, Take Care

The first full-length release we've seen from the Texas-based project since All Of The Sudden I Miss Everyone back in 2007, Explosions In The Sky takes a step into the new decade by releasing Take Care, Take Care, Take Care, which mixes much of the more familiar sounds in the discography with the newer, more experimental tastes.

The first track off the record, "Last Known Surroundings", starts with an ethereal and mysterious void, slowly shaping until a guitar hit brings the song forward motion with a drum beat that The Arcade Fire could say sounds familiar (No Cars Go, anyone?). After riffing with a sweetly tuned, high-octave guitar, the tune dies down into the bridge, a soft push that leads to a stronger buildup, gaining more and more strength and soul with a faster drum beat, until the cathartic release with a distorted guitar occurs, and the song fades back down to the void.

Explosions In the Sky Announce Pre-Order; Free Download

How do you create a follow up to 2007's All Of the Sudden I Miss Everyone and all of its haunting qualities of loneliness, despair, and hope? As a band that has not only been known for practically defining the standards of crescendo-focused post-rock, Explosions In the Sky carry a lot of weight on their shoulders to continue their impressive career of making their famous brand of instrumental work. Their reputation aside, as someone who fell deeply in love with Explosions In the Sky's last record, I found myself questioning whether or not a follow up could do justice when Explosions announced Take Care, Take Care, Take Care. It's safe to say now that with a new song in hand, it's a good chance those worries are completely baseless. Don't take my word for it though, pre-order the album and download the new song here.