Blame it on Rush -- instrumental post-rock isn't leaving us any time soon. My opinion is that most of these groups simply can't find a decent vocalist, so they fall back on forcing emotion out of their instruments -- not a bad thing. The jury is still out as to whether this theory applies to A Problem of Alarming Dimensions. Their songs range from out-and-out rock ballads to atmospheric film-score-esque underscore, emo-ridden angst-y tracks to fusion jams. "Driving in Unison" begins the set in haze of synth drones and rainy soundscapes, then delves into Godspeed You! Black Emperor territory (particularly the track used in 28 Days Later). "We Prefer Luciferian" continues as an extension, separated only by track numbers: backwards computer blips, heavily verbed-out toms and ebow guitars paint themselves over a continuous melotron melody. The multi-metered "Voice of Dissension" bounces along as if it came straight out of the King Crimson catalog, complete with panned guitars working in harmonic tandem. "Be Kind. Rewind", the one track that features vocals, incorporates all these and a myriad of other styles, and ends with a tasteful collage of chant and firing squad samples.

I'm not the genre's biggest fan, but A Problem of Alarming Dimension deserve serious respect for sustaining interest over the course of this 40-minute disc, and doing so gracefully at that.