Smile -Live at Wolf Creek-
Boris · 2008
95 min · 11 tracks · noise rock
A sprawling, immersive soundscape where heavy drone textures intertwine with ethereal melodies and dynamic sonic shifts.
Top tracks — play these first
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君は傘をさしていた Start here — Clocking in at over fourteen minutes, this track exemplifies Boris's mastery of extended compositions that blend drone elements with haunting melodies and intricate dynamics.
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BUZZ-IN — This shorter track packs a punch with its frenetic energy, showcasing the band's ability to shift gears rapidly while maintaining their signature heavy sound.
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[untitled] — The album's closing piece extends for twenty-six minutes, fully immersing listeners in an evolving sound journey that encapsulates the essence of Boris's experimental ethos.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases Boris's unique blend of heavy drone and ethereal melodies, capturing their live energy effectively.
What we noticed
- The album features extended tracks that often exceed ten minutes, allowing for gradual build-ups and shifts in dynamics.
- Several tracks incorporate heavy drone elements that create a dense atmosphere, while others introduce melodic lines that contrast with the noise.
- The performance captures live improvisation, with musicians frequently altering their playing in response to each other, leading to unpredictable sonic developments.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic live performance energy
- wave-like pacing with contrasts
- immersive extended track exploration
- ethereal textures with heavy riffs
Maybe skip if you
- prefer concise, standalone tracks
- seek immediate gratification
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — Captures live energy but is not a primary entry point or breakthrough for the artist.
- Themes
- immersive soundscapes· live performance intensity· ethereal drone textures
- Career context
- By the time 'Smile -Live at Wolf Creek-' was released in January 2008, Boris had already established themselves as a pioneering force in experimental music. This live album followed their critically acclaimed studio release 'Pink' from 2005, showcasing the band’s ability to translate their complex studio sound into an intense live performance environment.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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メッセージ
The delivery shifts from abstract vocalizations to a more structured narrative midway through, creating a stark contrast within the song.
This shift emphasizes the emotional weight of the lyrics, illustrating a progression from chaos to clarity that mirrors the overall theme of communication.
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 花・太陽・雨 Start here 9:19
- 2 BUZZ-IN 3:08
- 3 放て！ 4:55
- 4 PINK 4:23
- 5 メッセージ 4:27
- 6 Floor Shaker 6:13
Disc 2
- 1 虹が始まるとき 5:50
- 2 となりのサターン 6:41
- 3 枯れ果てた先 9:22
- 4 君は傘をさしていた 14:03
- 5 [untitled] 26:40
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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