As with many of their post-rock contemporaries, Pelican look to develop an entirely different kind of sound from an otherwise traditional rock band lineup. City of Echoes retains the dreamy, layered dual guitars of earlier Pelican, inviting a feeling of bathing in, rather than listening to, their music. It is an aesthetic which lends itself well to Pelican's characteristic fluid tempo.

These are songs which feel as though they would translate freely between stage and studio with little modification. City of Echoes was written on the back of two years of touring for the band, and this shines through in the comfortable balance which Pelican strike between a powerful sound and a feeling of space. At the baseline, this album consolidates the band's reliance not on studio production, samples and effects, but on a commitment to quality songwriting. City of Echoes, moreso than in their earlier albums, delivers on a spontaneous, jam-session level, without sacrificing the sense of oceanic depth which is a stalwart of the Pelican sound. There is an overarching lyricism here which is not always present in their earlier work. This is surely a sign that the band are maturing, and coming to terms with their own songwriting.

Busy one moment and sparse the next, City of Echoes is an album of mood swings. At times this can be tiring, and with no vocals to lead the listener, some would accuse Pelican of too much repetition. There is respite from the onslaught though, in the form of an interlude entitled "Winds with Hands". On this track, Pelican once again prove their music translates perfectly to an acoustic setting, inviting the question of whether we will ever see an entirely acoustic effort from the band. We can only hope.

In truth, the best of this album comes all at once. "Spaceship Broken – Parts Needed" demonstrates Pelican at their melancholy best, weaving guitars and drums into a formidable whole, undoubtedly one of the greatest tracks the band have written. Following the captivating "Winds with Hands" is "Dead Between the Walls". This track showcases an unrelenting wall of sound which proves that despite their greater maturity, Pelican are never afraid to rock out. These three tracks, the strongest material on the album, presented in series, define City of Echoes as a whole. They form a comparatively brief but enjoyable tour through the entire Pelican landscape, complete with crushing highs and quietly introspective lows.

If any complaint can be made about Pelican, it is that they have stuck to the same basic formula, leading to a lack of distinction between releases. City of Echoes is, you might say, 'more of the same'. But honestly, when the formula works as well as Pelican's, who can blame them for sticking to their guns?

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