Review - Battles

Battles
Mirrored
Warp
2007



Grade: A

Battles are a (mostly) instrumental “math-rock” band featuring Ian Williams of Don Caballero fame and John Stanier of Helmet and Tomahawk fame. They seem to have a love for high things from highly worn guitars and high crash cymbals (see previous posts video) to high pitched processed vocals (only really on "Atlas") and high scoring reviews.

This album makes me want to nod my head and shake my ass to its odd time signatures and processed vocals…and I cringe at the idea of me dancing. A band that was once completely instrumental has decided to add vocals on this, their first full length album. The vocals as mentioned before are usually heavily processed and rather indecipherable. There are a couple songs where the vocals sound like they aren't processed, but you can barely understand what he's singing, which doesn't bother me one bit. It sounds like the main idea for the vocal sections are just to add a different sound to the mix; they’re using voice as an instrument. Kind of like Thom Yorke does on some Radiohead songs. The drumming is very solid, sometimes understated. The guitar playing is great as well, and this album consists of a lot of keys and electronic samples which help to fill it out. If you’re a fan of math rock, experimental electronica, or are just looking for something new, then this album is for you. It was released today, so you can buy it before all of your friends and be the ‘cool one’ in the group.