Battles: Mirrored
Wednesday, 16 May 2007 14:21
Battles play mostly instrumental tracks
Warp records, out 15/05/07.
In a nutshell…
Energetic, exciting, jazzy, improvised, manic.
What's it all about?
Battles are a band that evade categorisation with individual members having served their time in several math rock and post rock bands such as Helmet and Don Caballero.
This debut album follows a series of rare singles issued by Warp, which sealed their reputation as an act to look out for.
Despite being known for making instrumental music, the first single of Mirrored was voted single of the week by the NME.
Who's it by
Battles' credentials in experimental music are highly rated, with members linked to several esteemed projects such as Prefuse 73.
Where their first few singles showed their potential to make exciting music within jazz and alternative rock genres, their debut gathers in a range of influences, from metal to R'n'B and beyond.
As an example…
Atlas is indeed an album highlight, with its Chipmunk-style vocals and Gary Glitter, glam rock thump. Thrilling, silly and the most original thing I've heard all year.
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
Many a critic will surely be stroking their chin and spewing out superlatives when reviewing this release.
Battles put a sledgehammer to the concept that jazz and avant rock should merely be the preserve of elitists with this album.
As crossovers go, the record is likely to appeal to the jazz snob and the indie kid in equal measure
What the others say
"The way repeated listens allow its unobvious rhythmic and melodic logic to take root is fantastically rewarding - by the time album closer Race Out reprises and mutates the themes of the opening salvo Race In, your brain might feel like it's been completely rewired." – the Guardian
So is it any good?
Skittering polyrhythms, experimental noise and weird time signatures are all unlikely to feature on the next Kaiser Chiefs record. They're also not everyone's idea of a good listen.
But Battles are able to take avant garde elements such as these and make them damn good fun.
Taking the lead from post-rock pioneers such as Tortoise, the band produce a glorious, shifting, improvised noise that thrilled my humble ears.
Like fellow experimental pop band Deerhoof, Battles are not afraid of jamming in several disparate ideas in a four-minute song. But they also let their ideas breathe and flourish.
Tight rhythms, easy melodies and curious sounds make this a bold, accessible and highly charged debut that's well worth a listen.
9/10
Pranam Mavahalli
Agree with this review? Have a different opinion? Let us know your thoughts (without being too abusive to our poor reviewers please) and we'll post the best ones on the site.