Reviewing bands like The Grand Silent System is always a challenge, if you allow me to say so; the reason being is that no one could ever translate into paragraphs exactly what this band creates through chords and notes. It's almost like any of the words you could try to say would sound too brute when trying to accurately describe this band's meticulously constructed sounds and melodies. It would probably be easier for me and you if you'd just trust my words and buy this record as soon as possible, but (un)fortunately things don't work out that way, do they? Well, then read on...

So here I am, feeling a little strange, almost scared, faced with the task of describing what is so sensational about "They Who Built", the band's first EP. I suppose I could say that the main reason I enjoy this EP so much is the noticeable amount of time and intelligence the band has put into the songs featured upon it. From the first seconds of "Robotics", the album's opening track, it's pretty obvious that The Grand Silent System isn't just another mainstream radio band with nothing new to offer. You won't find any gratuitous aggressiveness nor cliche melodies that will force your ears to beg for pity here.

Instead, The Grand Silent System offers you a lot more than that. They serve up something original and defying, something beyond the normal paradigms. The uncanny instrument combinations combined with different time signatures and inventive song structures is sure to make you giggle with no apparent cause. The songs are all sonically intricate, yet they seem to come so naturally that it's almost disturbing; while the melodies and harmonies are - with the help of wind instruments, unusual percussion and synths - as coherent and beautiful as they can be.

With top-notch musicianship and a wide sense of musicality, this band has what it takes to boldly walk through different genres without fear of losing the never-ending cohesion contained in their songs. From the thick bass lines and intricate orchestral work of "Robotics" to the acoustic based "Platforms Break", passing through the almost Celtic influenced instrumental piece of "La Macchina", "They Who Built" is a musical experience you can not miss by any means. It's magnificence is not one to be ignored, especially when you realize this is something not being done by any other band out there. Their music is a trademark of their own, no comparisons could ever be done without committing an injustice.

The Grand Silent System proves with this debut EP that there's still many musical roads to be explored. All it needs is a little dedication, creativity, and probably a little guts to take the road less traveled. As Robert Frost once said, that makes all the difference, and I'm pretty sure this Australian 6-piece are fully aware of that.