Released 20 years ago this November
B‐Sides & Rarities, Volume 1: ‘…Then We Take Japan’
65daysofstatic · 2006
44 min · 15 tracks · electronic music
A sprawling exploration of electronic textures interwoven with post-rock crescendos, creating an atmospheric soundscape that defies genre boundaries.
Top tracks — play these first
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Massive Star at the End of Its Burning Cycle Start here — This track opens the album with a haunting atmosphere, showcasing the band's ability to merge intricate guitar work with layered electronics, setting the tone for the entire collection.
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Retreat! Retreat! (Mothboy remix) — This remix transforms one of the band's signature tracks into an expansive electronic odyssey, illustrating how reinterpretation can breathe new life into existing material while emphasizing their sonic versatility.
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The Fall of Math (65dos remix) — Revisiting a fan-favorite from their earlier work, this remix encapsulates the band's signature sound while adding fresh layers of complexity and depth, making it a standout piece on this compilation.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases varied electronic textures and post-rock crescendos but lacks cohesive flow due to its remix nature.
What we noticed
- Tracks often employ layered electronic textures that create a dense soundscape, while post-rock elements introduce crescendos that contrast with the ambient sections.
- The sequencing includes both rhythmic and more abstract pieces, with transitions that sometimes feel abrupt, reflecting the experimental nature of the material.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic exploration of themes
- wave-like pacing for immersion
- emotive melodies for reflection
- headphone detail hunting experience
- evocative soundscapes for introspection
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward song structures
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A compilation of remixes and rarities, appreciated by fans but not a primary entry point.
- Themes
- layered electronic noise· fractured guitar crescendos· remixed post-rock fragments
- Career context
- When 'B‐Sides & Rarities, Volume 1: …Then We Take Japan' was released in 2006, 65daysofstatic was experiencing significant recognition following their breakout album 'The Fall of Math' in 2004. This release showcased the band's experimental edge and provided fans with a collection of previously unreleased tracks and remixes that broadened their discography during a pivotal moment in their career.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Godspeed You! Black Emperor· Explosions in the Sky· The Algorithm
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Massive Star at the End of Its Burning Cycle Start here 5:17
- 2 Everything We Talked About Yesterday 6:02
- 3 Twentyfourtwelve 3:37
- 4 No Station 2:14
- 5 Retreat! Retreat! (Mothboy remix) 5:13
- 6 Betraying Chino 2:08
- 7 Wrong Side of the Tracks 1:12
- 8 Crystal Splinters City Skies 3:33
- 9 The Fall of Math (65dos remix) 4:09
- 10 Asphalt & Trouble 6:34
- 11 4Connection 4:53
Disc 2
- 1 Drove Through Ghosts
- 2 Aren’t We All Running?
- 3 Install a Break in the Heart That Clucks Time in Arabic
- 4 Radio Protector
What to play next
The Destruction of Small Ideas
2007
Continues the atmospheric and experimental sound, expanding on the textures explored.
One Time for All Time
2005
Sets a foundation with similar electronic post-rock elements that lead into the current album.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Mr Beast
Mogwai
Pairs fractured guitar surges with electronic detail and the same restrained-to-crescendo dynamics.
Mirrored
Battles
Turns interlocking guitar patterns and processed electronics into similarly intricate, restless textures.
All Is Violent, All Is Bright
God Is an Astronaut
Shares expansive post-rock crescendos, layered electronics, and a distinctly atmospheric instrumental feel.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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