This Will Destroy You cover

This Will Destroy You

This Will Destroy You · 2008

51 min · 7 tracks · post-rock

A sweeping tapestry of atmospheric soundscapes that blend melancholic melodies with intense crescendos.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    The Mighty Rio Grande — This track showcases the band's ability to build tension through gradual layering, culminating in a powerful crescendo that embodies the essence of their sound.
  • →
    A Three‐Legged Workhorse — Opening the album, this piece establishes the sonic landscape with its expansive build-up and emotional intensity, setting a precedent for the rest of the record.
  • →
    Burial on the Presidio Banks — This track's intricate dynamics and haunting melodies illustrate the band's skill in creating immersive atmospheres that linger long after listening.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental
67 /100
Alpine
Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

The album's atmospheric build-ups and emotional crescendos create a compelling post-rock experience.

What we noticed

  • The album features long tracks, with several exceeding six minutes, allowing for gradual build-ups and atmospheric shifts.
  • Each piece often begins with a soft, melodic introduction that swells into intense crescendos, creating a dynamic contrast throughout the record.
  • The final track ends with an extended fade-out, leaving a lingering sense of closure without resolution.
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
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • immersive emotional soundscapes
  • gradual build to catharsis
  • wave-like pacing through tracks
  • haunting melodies for reflection

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer instant gratification
  • need upbeat, fast tempos

Where this album fits

Career context
This Will Destroy You was the self-titled debut album from the post-rock band released on January 29, 2008. At this point in their career, the band was gaining traction within the post-rock scene, building on their earlier EP, 'Young Mountain.' Their sound was beginning to resonate with audiences seeking emotional depth and expansive instrumentals.

Tracklist

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

  • 1 A Three‐Legged Workhorse 9:13
  • 2 Villa del refugio 7:06
  • 3 Threads 5:42
  • 4 Leather Wings 3:31
  • 5 The Mighty Rio Grande 11:18
  • 6 They Move on Tracks of Never‐Ending Light 6:59
  • 7 Burial on the Presidio Banks 7:43

What to play next

Tunnel Blanket
Listen next

Tunnel Blanket

2011
Young Mountain
Go back to

Young Mountain

2006
Full This Will Destroy You discography Artists like This Will Destroy You
post-rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata