Excerpt: “To describe [Perth] local band Apricot Rail as a post rock band would be doing them an injustice. While sharing the ethos of post rock, their sound is more than just restricted to post rock (which is inevitable with a scene or a sound as becoming a restrictive genre). Described by Rave Magazine as “Imagine the ethereal pop of early Múm, the whimsy of Sigur Rós’ more optimistic moments, and (occasionally) the emotional edge of The Twilight Sad. This is consummate indie post-rock laced with Australiana, and well worth checking out.” They are a multi instrumental sextet and use this to their advantage. “Surry Hills” features both chiming and almost surf like guitars structures, minimal almost hand percussion, flute, shimmering electronics that ebbs and flows with the song changing from being driven by the multiple guitars back to the haunting flute melody. This track is a taster for their future Hidden Shoal album release which is probably going to come out early next year…”

Twiceremoved

“In sorting through the glut of instrumental music releases we receive at The Silent Ballet, it’s rare to come across a single song all by its lonesome and be excited. “Surry Hills” is the first work released by the Perth, Australia-based Apricot Rail since their eponymous debut back in 2009. While previously having erred on the the shimmery and sunny side of post rock, the band shows a new level of maturity in balancing chimes, woodwinds, guitars and other spritely sounds. With flute and clarinet leading the sun to a fog-less morning, all manner of life delicately rises from the soil. The progression within the song is entirely natural in feeling, the ride cymbal joined by a subtle, synthetic rhythm and a hopeful guitar melody tying everything together with a satin bow. This track is a sign of a new direction and pallette that Apricot Rail are destined to explore further on their sophomore album, due next year. 4/5″

The Silent Ballet

Excerpt: “Definitely one of the best new pos-rock bands, APRICOT RAIL hails from Perth…. The music of APRICOT RAIL is a unique mix of guitar-lead classic post-rock a la MONO and MOGWAI, extra percussion and, surprisingly maybe, a wind section consisting of clarinet and flute…. Delicate, melancholic singing comes to set the purpose of this creative unit as a search for ultimate aesthetic beauty rather than formal experiment. The musical landscapes created by all this are at times delicate and charming, or majestic and powerful, and always highly emotional. In conclusion, APRICOT RAIL is highly recommended to those searching for melancholic, beautiful music and a highly refined musical content at the same time.”

Prog Archives

Apricot Rail’s self titled release was named as the second best release of 2009 by 78 Records in Perth.