The Calm Blue Sea began creating their thundering instrumental epics in 2007 and now, following a brief hiatus, are back with more vigor than ever before. The band self-released their six-song self-titled full-length (it clocks in at 46 minutes) in 2008 to strong reviews and, coupled with their ferocious live show, earned a passionate local following. However, limited resources from being a self-funded band kept them off the radar of a larger audience. Modern Outsider s reissue of the album celebrates the group s return to the post-rock landscape and should easily appeal to fans of Explosions in the Sky, Mogwai and Godspeed You! Black Emperor. With song structures measured in minutes rather than measures, their lushly textured sound is a study in contrast; at once beautiful and violent, transcendent and triumphant. The band s first performance back, at Modern Outsider 2011 SXSW Official Showcase, garnered praise and coverage on Esquire.com and NPR Music, who previously chose the mostly instrumental pummeling rocker Literal as their Song of the Day this past March 18. At nearly eight minutes, Literal moves through so many phases and changes, and achieves such elegance and power in the process, that it s actually a shame to hear it end, they exclaimed.