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Battles may be signed to ultra-cool label Warp, and they may have caught the interest of the hipper-than-thou elements in the music press, but their full-length debut Mirrored is, quite simply, a prog-rock album. From the opening drums leading into the quick-time guitar picking of "Race:In", it’s clear that Oxford-based battles have listened to a fair share of Yes albums in their time. And, like the best progressive rock, Mirrored is almost painfully clever, mixing complex electronic sounds in with their more traditional instrumentation, so just when you think they’re just another noodling jam-band, they go and get all weird. The result is a musical playfulness that’s too often missing in so much of the post-rock scene, and best exemplified on the cartoonish vocals of the rather funky "Atlas", or the frantic clap-along "Ddiamondd". Even their more serious-sounding songs are more fun than anything by Tortoise, Sigur Ros, Mogwai or their ilk--the epic "Tonto" sounds, at times, like two songs playing concurrently and occasionally meeting up for a boogie before eventually loping off into the sunset like its namesake. Most post-rock bands seem content for their audience to nod their heads and scratch their beards; Battles, meanwhile, are determined to make you smile. --Robert Burrow
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I bought this on the basis of great reviews but have to say I was not impressed when I first listened to it. However, it has grown on me massively and whilst I would never class myself as a fan of this prog rock sound, I now cannot get enough of it. It's just so different and well put together - you feel as if every musical note / beat / input is significant and well thought through. I highly recommend this album but you may find you have to work on it.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I don't normally pitch any reviews here on Amazon but thought for this I should as afer hearing this for the first time I really didn't enjoy it too much, I gave it a 2nd try and it was more bearable but after the 3rd then 4th listen I was hooked. I can't stop listening to it now, in full every time and after each time I listen I just want to listen again. It's different and is much more of a dance record than people seem to think. Very impressed!
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is Battles' 1st album proceeding a couple of E.P.s and all I can say is it's absolutely nutss! I've read quite a lot about Mirrored and everyone has a different opinion of what kind of music it is or where it should be pidgeonholed. I love it when music critics get confused!
Some people are classing it as `post rock' which would place them alongside bands like Explosions in the Sky and Godspeed. Way off.
Some people have christened it dance music. Eh? Nowhere close.
Some view Mirrored as a `math rock' album. Does anyone know what `Math Rock' is anyway?
Most stick it in the prog rock category, which is a lot closer than the others but still not quite there.
Whatever the opinion of what genre they belong all the professional reviews I've read are gushing over this album. However good it is I don't think it warrants quite so much praise; here's why.
Battles are one of those bands that genuinely defy categorisation and cannot be described under a general term. It's complex fairly cerebral music and incredibly hard to wrap your brain around on the first listen. Battles are drums, guitars, bass, vocals and keyboards; pretty standard rock group elements but what is produced is nothing like you've heard before.
The music is based around very short riffs and loops strung together with fills, runs and bridges many with awkward timings and odd rhythms. It's quite robotic and lacking in soul and the electronic elements; keyboards, samples, and effects emphasise this. The vocals are equally abstract; whistling, bizarre high pitched effects and odd chanting. It's weird stuff, and when all these elements are described it sounds really off putting. Yet it's a strangely compelling listen. The first listen is one of shock and awe; the quality of the musicianship; the lack of any traditional structure or melody. Yet it's these qualities that bring you back, it's kind of like slowing down for a car crash; you don't want to, it's wrong, but some morbid curiosity makes you go through with it.
After repeated listens it is apparrent that Mirrored does contain some melody, particularly in `Race : In', `Atlas' and `Tonto', and you'll just keep coming back for more. Mirrored is far too inaccessable and esoteric for Battles to get big but I wouldn't be surprised if they gained themselves quite the cult following.
Go on, take a chance and buy some brand new music that sounds like nothing you have heard and probably never will again, what big loss could it be? Whether you'll enjoy it is another matter...
Some people are classing it as `post rock' which would place them alongside bands like Explosions in the Sky and Godspeed. Way off.
Some people have christened it dance music. Eh? Nowhere close.
Some view Mirrored as a `math rock' album. Does anyone know what `Math Rock' is anyway?
Most stick it in the prog rock category, which is a lot closer than the others but still not quite there.
Whatever the opinion of what genre they belong all the professional reviews I've read are gushing over this album. However good it is I don't think it warrants quite so much praise; here's why.
Battles are one of those bands that genuinely defy categorisation and cannot be described under a general term. It's complex fairly cerebral music and incredibly hard to wrap your brain around on the first listen. Battles are drums, guitars, bass, vocals and keyboards; pretty standard rock group elements but what is produced is nothing like you've heard before.
The music is based around very short riffs and loops strung together with fills, runs and bridges many with awkward timings and odd rhythms. It's quite robotic and lacking in soul and the electronic elements; keyboards, samples, and effects emphasise this. The vocals are equally abstract; whistling, bizarre high pitched effects and odd chanting. It's weird stuff, and when all these elements are described it sounds really off putting. Yet it's a strangely compelling listen. The first listen is one of shock and awe; the quality of the musicianship; the lack of any traditional structure or melody. Yet it's these qualities that bring you back, it's kind of like slowing down for a car crash; you don't want to, it's wrong, but some morbid curiosity makes you go through with it.
After repeated listens it is apparrent that Mirrored does contain some melody, particularly in `Race : In', `Atlas' and `Tonto', and you'll just keep coming back for more. Mirrored is far too inaccessable and esoteric for Battles to get big but I wouldn't be surprised if they gained themselves quite the cult following.
Go on, take a chance and buy some brand new music that sounds like nothing you have heard and probably never will again, what big loss could it be? Whether you'll enjoy it is another matter...
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Math rock master piece
Fantastic album, coming on like a bunch of glam rockers trying to disrupt a Can rehearsal. Most math rock gets a bit dry and passionless, all clever time signatures and twee tunes... Read more
Published on 11 Dec 2009 by Sebastian
Energy!
I bought this album because I saw Battles playing Atlas on Jools Holland, and I was blown away by it. Read more
Published on 27 Nov 2009 by Mrs
too quirky
I brought this on the strength of the reviews.
I love past rock, modern prog rock, Mogwai, Jakob, Explosion in the sky, Sea on fire, vessels, Tool etc etc, however Battles I... Read more
I love past rock, modern prog rock, Mogwai, Jakob, Explosion in the sky, Sea on fire, vessels, Tool etc etc, however Battles I... Read more
Published on 30 Jun 2009 by Zendude
Its good music! sod the genre and you own nothing on math!
I hate people who moan about vocals. I hate people who moan about stupid percussion (high crash playing). I hate people who moan about math rock. Read more
Published on 8 Sep 2008 by A. H. Dovey
Great little pop album
Don't be fooled by the lack of lyrics, or superficial art/math/post-rock tendencies - this is actually great pop music. Read more
Published on 22 Jun 2008 by K. K. Jakubczyk
Battles Shmattles
Trendy poster boy post-rock proggers with a very silly cymbal stand (see sleeve).A band you want to like but it's entirely impossible to get beyond the 'arent we trying hard,Mum'... Read more
Published on 27 May 2008 by Brett L. Stewart
Is it...?
This is music for itchy feet and itchy brains. It is driven by a relentless krautrockesque riddim. This is clever and precise music and the `math-rock' tag fits with the album's... Read more
Published on 27 April 2008 by Mr. M. J. Cole
The return of Jazz rock?
Math Rock? Hmm, I'm old enough to remember jazz rock acts like Coloseum, and Brand X, and some of this album reminds me of them. Read more
Published on 24 April 2008 by Lendrick
Album of 2007?
Well, one of them. The main competition being Panda Bear, the National and Sir Richard Bishop. I just wanted to counterbalance the reviews from poor souls who seem to think that... Read more
Published on 8 Feb 2008 by Some call me... photoshop
post rock
Did not like this on the first couple of listens,happy with the music its more free form jazz at times which is okay. Read more
Published on 28 Jan 2008 by cath cogan
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