Hammock Lonely, Some Quietly Wander In The Hall Of Stars

Is it too cheesy to say grab a hammock and listen to Hammock? I hope not.

Hammock is a post-rock collaboration between Marc Byrd and Andrew Thomspon from Nashville, TN. Known for their shoegazey and minimalist sound, they have been around around since 2005, having released five LPs and two EPs on their own label, Hammock Music.

So I'll just come right out and say it: where the hell has Hammock been all my life? I'm a complete sucker for atmospheric music and have been in the dark about this band until now, leading me to question my own skills at finding good ambient music.

Let me tell you, there's nothing better than listening to some depressingly dismal tunes in order to revel in your own melancholy on a gloomy Saturday. But don't get me wrong, Hammock exists not only in order to depress us but also to give us hope (pretentious, right?). The emotions that run through your head while listening to the choice array of instruments are painfully alluring, demanding a well-needed moment of pensiveness. As noted in an interview, "Culturally, [Hammock] is trying to get people to slow down and just listen. Less sound bites, take the time and listen to the entire album."

Byrd claimed Hammock was started simply because "there are times when the need to create a thing begins to interrupt your life." Recognized for their creative take on the wordless (read: instrumental) style, critics and peers alike have called Hammock "perfection." In fact, Jonsi Birgisson (of Sigur Ros fame) even invited the band to perform overseas at the exclusive artistic collaboration Riceboy Sleeps in the fall of 2007.  Since then, the band has continued to thrive.

Check out their fantastic new EP, Longest Year, detailing the band's difficult 2010 year (which included the near-destruction of Byrd's home by the flood in Nashville).

Post-script: Don't forget to watch all their music videos directed by David Altobelli of Brooklyn's Symphony 19 production lab. They'll haunt your dreams.