Born into Trouble as the Sparks Fly Upward cover

Born into Trouble as the Sparks Fly Upward

Thee Silver Mt. Zion · 2001

58 min · 8 tracks · post-rock

A sprawling tapestry of melancholic melodies interwoven with stark, cathartic instrumentation that defies traditional rock structures.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Sisters! Brothers! Small Boats of Fire Are Falling From the Sky! — Opening with a haunting blend of strings and vocals, this track sets a tone of urgent reflection that encapsulates the album's overarching themes of despair and hope.
  • →
    Take These Hands and Throw Them in the River. — This song features a gradual build-up that culminates in an emotionally charged climax, showcasing the band's ability to fuse intricate arrangements with raw vulnerability.
  • →
    C’mon COME ON (Loose an Endless Longing.) — The track embodies a sense of relentless yearning through its repetitive motifs and powerful crescendos, making it a standout representation of the band's sonic explorations.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

72 /100
Alpine
Higher than 95% of albums we've rated

The album's ambitious soundscapes and emotional depth contribute to its strong identity within post-rock.

What we noticed

  • The album features lengthy tracks, with most exceeding six minutes, allowing for gradual development of themes and motifs.
  • Instrumentation often shifts between quiet, introspective passages and explosive crescendos, creating a dynamic contrast throughout.
  • Several tracks incorporate unconventional song structures, eschewing traditional verse-chorus formats in favor of extended instrumental sections.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
8/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Sisters! Brothers! Small Boats of Fire Are Falling From the Sky! 9:07
  • 2 This Gentle Hearts Like Shot Bird’s Fallen. 5:47
  • 3 Built Then Burnt [Hurrah! Hurrah!] 5:41
  • 4 Take These Hands and Throw Them in the River. 6:58
  • 5 Could’ve Moved Mountains… 10:59
  • 6 Tho You Are Gone I Still Often Walk w/You. 4:48
  • 7 C’mon COME ON (Loose an Endless Longing.) 8:06
  • 8 The Triumph of Our Tired Eyes. 6:54

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He Has Left Us Alone but Shafts of Light Sometimes Grace the Corner of Our Rooms...

2000
Full Thee Silver Mt. Zion discography Artists like Thee Silver Mt. Zion
experimental rock post-rock

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