The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place

Explosions In The Sky

2003

3.29

Rating

Votes

10%

48%

32%

Distribution

Genres: Rock Styles: Post Rock

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Album Summary

The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place is the third studio album by American post-rock band Explosions in the Sky, released on November 4, 2003, through Temporary Residence Limited. Explosions in the Sky is composed of Mark Smith and Munaf Rayani on guitars, Michael James on bass, and Christopher Hrasky on drums, with the album being produced by John Congleton. The album consists of five tracks that span a total runtime of 45 minutes. Having formed in Austin, Texas in 1999, the band recorded two studio albums before releasing The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place. The album is often considered to be released within the context of the post-September 11 attacks world, despite the attacks not being taken into consideration by the band during recording. The music of the album is without lyrics, and includes tracks that are considered to be inspired by reactions to crises, including the Kursk submarine disaster. The album generally garnered critical acclaim.

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May 30 2026 Author

I enjoyed The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place, it reminded me of stuff I've heard and liked from maybeshewill, lovely melodic instrumental rock that captures and tells a story in quite a minimalist way. Very easy to listen to and would happily listen again, think it's a low 4, good addition.

Jun 01 2026 Author

Washes over you like a mystical, majestic waterfall. I can't listen to this without thinking of Friday Night Lights, a great TV show. 4 stars.

Jun 02 2026 Author

Heard this before but needed to revisit it. Glad I did. Solid post rock. Enjoyed it. Should have been on the original list.

Jun 03 2026 Author

The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place is a beautiful post-rock album by Explosions In The Sky. To be honest the wiki page about maybe it possible "being about 9/11" and the album "without lyrics" just annoyed me. It's an album about pain, loss and hope and if an album is instrumental, it does not have lyrics. Please let it be interpreted as you feel like, but do not try to force it on others. It sounds a bit like Mogwai, but with less distortion and on a quieter tone. Great melodies and simple harmonics of two guitars intertwining.

Jun 04 2026 Author

I very much love postrock like this! The atmosphere it creates just hits certain buttons

May 31 2026 Author

ooohh i love this record

Jun 04 2026 Author

Great post rock record, I’d rank below god speed and Mogawi, but still worthy of this list and one I listen to frequently.

May 30 2026 Author

Pop adjacent music without lyrics or singing has more heavy lifting to do and risks unflattering comparison to more highbrow typically instrumental genres like classical and jazz. This holds it own pretty well in that context, I enjoyed it and stayed engaged throughout. I'm not sure it made that deep of an impression however but I bet they'd be a good time live.

May 31 2026 Author

Aight

May 31 2026 Author

Love this band

Jun 03 2026 Author

Standard post rock

Jun 04 2026 Author

Post-rock with the edges smoothed out

May 30 2026 Author

A little too much of nothing here for my tastes.

Jun 01 2026 Author

Sparse post rock instrumentals that left no impression on me.