MIRRORED

I´m really impressed with this album, even though this is not my normal taste. Battles play very rythmic prog rock. Think eighties King Crimson and you´re just about there. There are lots of intricate rythms and time changes on display, so this is not background music. The technical level of the musicians are very high.

Even though the music rely much on rythm it´s not totally without melody. The vocals and some of the guitar parts sound partly melodic, even though you can´t compare this with normal melodies. The vocals are processed and sounds like a mouse swallowed helium much of the time. This is an aquired taste for sure. I must say the vocals leave me a bit cold. The music is very repetitive in nature, but not boring because of it. Many things happen all the time.

I can see why some people would call this a masterpiece, as this is very innovative music even though Battles are clearly inspired by eighties King Crimson. They don´t sound like a clone though. The sound quality is superb, maybe one of the best productions I have heard in years.

For me this is a 4 star album even though it doesn´t really satisfy my tastes. I have to bow for the innovative and exploring nature of Battles music though and praise the outstanding musicianship. A brilliant new addtition to the prog rock scene.