Battles - Mirrored

Battles
Mirrored
(2007, Warp Records)
8.5/10

"If any band has laid down the future of what rock should become this year it is Battles for sure." -Raven Sings The Blues

"Battles have done more to extend the idea of a flesh-and-blood band enhanced by computer technology than anyone since the late, lamented Disco Inferno." -Pitchfork

"The music Battles are making deserves to be heard, and respected.....Even if you’re not much of a cerebral-rock person, take a chance with this one—it pays off." -Pop Matters

Why is every critic raving about the new full legnth Battles album, Mirrored? Battles is labeled a cerebral, math rock, noodled band. What do those things mean? Let's wikipedia them: Cerebral: Describes an angle of thinking that utilizes the intellect rather than intuition or instinct, Math Rock: style of noise rock music that emerged in the late 1980's. It is characterised by complex, atypical rhythmic structures, stop/start dynamics and angular, dissonant riffs, and the most interesting term, Noodled: oh wait, I searched everywhere and no one seems to have an exact definition for what "noodled" music is! Don't you hate how music reviewers make up their own words to describe how things sound, ya me too- but, ya know what, I don't know how in the world to desribe Battles either. They are being labeled as one of the most progressive bands as of late, which is interesting since they are labeled "math rock" which isn't really considered a progressive genre to be in anymore. Every reviewer seems to be raving, but everyone else doesn't seem to be as enchanted. Well, I am going to have to take the side of the reviewers on this one. This album is pretty mind blowing. It sounds like insanity in musical form. This is an album that can't be pushed into the background. You need to put on your stereo headphones, lock yourself in your bedroom, and devour this album. I can't wait for their show at the Urban Lounge July 7th. They are supposedly amazing live. So, why is every critic pissing their pants over Mirrored? Because... it really is that good.

-Sassigrass