Well If it sucks, at least you didn't write it

So, I have been spending a great deal of the past two weeks trying to figure out a decent way of reviewing the Battles record "Mirrored", the first review of this blog....and have come to some conclusions: J.R. Nelson is awesome at writing these things, and where to get really awesome tight pants, again many thanks to J.R..

I can't really beat around the bush on this record - it fucking rocks, which I understand is the most neanderthal statement I can make about this, but when something fucking rocks it does. I mean, I don't think many people will go, "Hmm, that guitar riff on Led Zep's 'Black Dog' was a great example of blues distillation in the early 70's..." Why? Because that's the sort of shit I discuss when I get really trashed and want to piss someone off or when I am slightly buzzed and really value that other party's opinion, not when some poor and probably very lonely stranger accidentally finds this thing and well, decides that he would rather die than hear more of that.

It's a lot like this record; you can take it on face value. It's chock full of riffs, loops, crunchy guitars, big drums and non-obtrusive vocals. Showing every facet of a good rock record and very fulfilling to listen to in a lot places like the bus at 9 am when you are wondering what a complete mindfuck working on something you care absolutely nothing about is, or when you are about to spend the night on the town and you are getting psyched up, or doing some "extreme sport"* and lastly I am positive some douchebag DJ in Greenpoint has mashed upped "Leyendecker" with Lil' Wayne and is spinning it in some fucking club with a clever name like Aux or the Blue Banana.

The choices on this record can be a bit confusing, not like the way you feel about Alec Baldwin Vs. the voice of Alec Baldwin when he is doing voice overs, more like why did they choose so many jubilant chords and many playful arrangements (Crap, I am doing it...must not be that guy...) . The overall robo feel makes this a great zone-out record, the points of break down and build up actually made me forget that I probably look really ridiculous nodding my head and dancing like a Hippy that totally took one too many tabs and starts wearing a white robe and is in some weird freaky cult. The manipulation of sound is something these four guys are very keen on, in fact I didn't see it coming. I thought the band would kinda stay in their experimental fuck-the-song attitude, but then they do this which is a very accessible and complex record, there no slouches to say the least. Also there is this almost sinister feel to it. Then I start to fantasize I am in some cool movie. Then I snap out of it and feel real silly. I guess I could say a lot more about this record and the band that has already been said. However, just to throw this out there: it always reminded me a lot of some of Steve Reich's compositions.




*I wanted to add some 90's antiquated reference because I think they're ridiculous and need to be pointed and laughed at like when you see all this crap about coked up celebs.

Ok We are Changing this up

Allow me to now formally introduce to you that i will start blogging about albums and shows and entertainment news now so beware .....it starts tommorow!

A review of the battles record Mirrored

So here we are again, last time i was ranting about the LB show, since then i went to NY which was cool i liked it there to get drunk and walk around somehow i don't have time to do that any more..... The band i am in is going through changes trying to find its voice, Kelly stepped out of the band. Now its me and O man. Bike was stolen which is a first for me but not in that good way. Seamus had to go to the vet big time and had to have an operation. work sucks. bought moped cant get it to run yet. Seamus recovering he makes me happy so does kellstar so life is still good.....all good