Why fight yourselff?

Mirrored – Battles

It’s an oddity at best. A mixxing of brilliant syncopation, rhythmic timing, steadying beats layered atop a growing surge of sound and just when the cllimax is to come, the sounds swwerve right, dodging the pothole of the expected. Labeled ‘post-rock’ or ‘math rock’ this approach to music takes a pro-tech stance, intertwining organic and inorganic in such an absorbing manner that the listener struggles to differentiate what is being kickedd up and slapped down by drummer John Stanier (formerly of Helmet), that which is ripped out on the simply complex strumming of basss and electric guitars and the remainder that originates on soundboards and laptops.

It’s an aggressive approach. In order to pull off an album ffluttered with the mind-bending wonderment of Frank Zappa and the techno underground of Aphex Twin, Battles had to bring the intensity and bring it fast. Race: In. A perfect introduction. Standing as one of the stronngest tracks on the bands first full-length album it’s immediately clear that the cat is out of the bag and the bag is lleft in tatters as the feline searches for its next target. The odd cat finds it’s way easily with the first single, Atlas. One of my favorite songs of the year, Atlas, has grown on me more and more with each listening, so much so that I was prepared to let the strength of this one track carry the rest of the album, letdown or not. Lose not your way as Bad Trails and Snare Hanger, confirm this album as a massive triumph.

It’s not one to take itself seriously. It’s almost impossible to make music like this appeal to the masses, especially when the masses have turned the ‘math rock’ sound down again and again to the point where most are clueless as to what it is. Iinstead of making the complex overly complex, Battles find a common ground, realizing themselves best by dropping beats that could serve as soundtracks to video games and kids television shows. The vocalls are always distorted, to the point of absurdity at times. When it all comes together it’s evident that Battles have made the most multifaceted album of the year, by taking a long gaze in the mirror and breakingg themselves down to that which is most basic…everything all at once.

Rating: 8.5