Reviews on albums being generic have become all too familiar as so many bands peddle through the ground created by their peers. Tim, Face Berlin is the latest to jump in the ring, and the Swedish five-piece creates patient build-ups and beautiful walls of noise that sound rather familiar. The problem on We Could Wait Forever is not the band's ability to play and master its instruments, but instead its tendency to recreate rather than innovate.

Tim, Face Berlin never set out to be purely instrumental; the music was created first and a singer was never recruited. However, the band has an obvious influence from bands that have stamped their authority on the genre. There is a very heavy lean on the Explosions in the Sky sound, which can be felt throughout We Could Wait Forever, especially on the title track opener. A slow, delicate build works into spiraling crescendos at all the expected moments per the post-rock genre. But, it would be unfair to brand Tim, Face Berlin as a post-rock clone. Sure the structure and ideas produced are very similar to others, but there is promise shown in the music.

One noticeable difference in the band's sound is that of the saxophone. Even though it does spice up the music, it does not dilute the EITS and Mogwai model as much as it could. “Those Nights, That Summer“ is certainly a stand out on this three-track demo. As the guitars coil and intertwine, the saxophone leads the way with some brilliant passages of soaring notes. The same kind of structure can be found in “The Fall of Strinberg." Although these songs still rise and fall as expected, the small changes in instrumentation give them a fresh edge and dispel any ideas that these songs are simple replicated post-rock songs. The saxophone works neatly with the guitars and does not detract from the soaring music. Instead, it builds and adds an extra uplifting layer, which has not really been done by many bands using the instrument in this genre.

Tim, Face Berlin states that its aim as a band is “to make beautiful and touching music.” Without a doubt, it does meet this mark. The songs create and shape feelings and emotions, and they certainly do not lack beauty or depth. It is just that the structure is nothing new. The execution is perfect, but it is a soundtrack that has already been played. The saxophone adds a unique touch that fits in very well with this music, swooning and rocketing with the guitars. If the solid base the band has lain for itself with We Could Wait Forever is improved and innovated upon with its future releases, than this band will certainly be one to watch out for.

-Gary Davidson