Review: Battles - Mirrored (or) the tape remains very exciting

Posted on 22 April 2007 | 1 Comment

Filed Under: Album Reviews, Electronic, Noise, Post Rock

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Battles is a supergroup (of sorts) made up of drummer John Stanier (ex-Helmet), guitarist Ian Williams (ex-Don Caballero), Dave Konopka, and Tyondai Braxton (the son of jazz musician Anthony Braxton). They have a new album that will be released on May 14th called Mirrored which is full of the same complex mathy and unconventional post-rock that appeared on their previous EP’s continues to surprise with the addition of vocals.

Most of the vocals on Mirrored are (however) manipulated beyond recognition and sound more like Alvin from The Chipmunks than an actual singing human and are simply another melody instrument in the context of Battles. Just for the sake of comparison, the band sounds something like a cross between the craziest moments that Blur has committed to tape and Black Dice. Experimental, glitched, and complicated but exhibiting a new “pop” side as well as a technical prowess that most bands can only dream of.

The band properly titled the songs this time around and the recently released single “Atlas” was even voted best single of the week by NME. I’d highly suggest checking Mirrored out when it is released May 14th on Warp Records.

MP3 | Battles – Atlas Mirrored
MP3 | Battles – Leyendecker Mirrored

You can find more music from Battles at The Hype Machine.

Comments

1 Ed - 533 days ago Good to see their stuff being posted - bought the 12" of Atlas the other week, and think it's one of the best tracks so far this year. Ed