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VanderGraafKommandöh View Drop Down
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Points: 89372 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 05 2007 at 22:59
The problem I have is that not all Math Rock sounds like Post-Rock, which is where the problem lies with Battles.

You may need to incorporate a tagging system, to differentiate the two different genres.  Someone who likes Godspeed may hate Battles and vice-versa.

Be as possessive as you like, it's a healthy attitude to have. Wink

Oh and yes, I agree about the electronica.  I did mention Aphex Twin and I think you could add Daft Punk and Air to that list too.
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chamberry View Drop Down
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Points: 9008 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 05 2007 at 18:01
I'm thinking of changing my ratings to a fiver too...  I can't stop listening to them!

James, I agree that they do have some strong avant influences, but they don't strike me as an avant band (and for an math rock band they're very unique). Aside from those groups mentioned I can also point out to some krautrock and electronica as well. People tend to label them post-rock only because of the guitar style, but now more inventive.

Not trying to be possessive here, but I think they fit better in math rock.

Haven't heard Anthony nor Tyonday Braxton's solo works, but I'm definitely curious.

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VanderGraafKommandöh View Drop Down
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Points: 89372 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 05 2007 at 15:52
Originally posted by darqdean darqdean wrote:

^ I've had Mirrored a couple of days now and I (sort of) agree with James's list (not sure of the Gabriel vocal though Confused), the influences are a lot less buried than they first appeared and I picked up some Four Tet and Phil Manzanera in there too - but so craftly done (yes craftly, not craftily) too make it a fine pleasure to listen too that gets more interesting with each listen. Gonna be one of my albums of the year for sure and I'd better put an order in for the remixes.


Only one track has a slight Gabriel/Collins'ism about it, but apart from that, there's no Genesis in there at all. Wink

Dick also makes a point about Devo.  I am only familiar with some of their UK-label releases though, which I gather differ from their American-label ones.

I don't know Four Tet, but I do have some Manzanera (Quiet Sun and his debut album Diamond Head) and I think I'll have to listen closer for those similarities.

I pretty much hear a lot of Fred Frith in there though.
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Dick Heath View Drop Down
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Points: 12813 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 05 2007 at 12:56
Originally posted by Geck0 Geck0 wrote:

This album is fantastic.

However... I think it's been mis-genred... it sounds avant-prog enough for mem for it to be in the RIO/Avant-Prog genre.  I can hear the Math Rock, but the Post Rock is almost non-existant.

Funny that Dick should mention Aphex Twin... I certainly hear some loose Aphex Twin sounds in there too.

So, for me, they remind of all the following:

King Crimson
Henry Cow
Massacre
The (ec) Nudes
Gunjogacrayon
Aphex Twin
Genesis (one track sounds like Gabriel singing)
Upsilon Acrux
Ahleuchatistas
Other Japavant bands

That's only after one listen.  Definitely a 5/5 for me.  It completely clicked for me.  Atlas and Tij almost had me dancing whilst sat down.  Wow!
 
I think I heard Devo in there, plus the Munchkin vocals...
 
Got the Helmets' Best of album, from whom the drummer comes,and hard pressed to hear any direct connection. BTW I don't know Anthony Braxton's jazz - so does his son carry any of that into Battles?
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Points: 37575 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 05 2007 at 12:44
^ I've had Mirrored a couple of days now and I (sort of) agree with James's list (not sure of the Gabriel vocal though Confused), the influences are a lot less buried than they first appeared and I picked up some Four Tet and Phil Manzanera in there too - but so craftly done (yes craftly, not craftily) too make it a fine pleasure to listen too that gets more interesting with each listen. Gonna be one of my albums of the year for sure and I'd better put an order in for the remixes.

Edited by darqdean - December 05 2007 at 12:45
What?
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VanderGraafKommandöh View Drop Down
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Points: 89372 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 04 2007 at 21:27
This album is fantastic.

However... I think it's been mis-genred... it sounds avant-prog enough for me for it to be in the RIO/Avant-Prog genre.  I can hear the Math Rock, but the Post Rock is almost non-existant.

Funny that Dick should mention Aphex Twin... I certainly hear some loose Aphex Twin sounds in there too.

So, for me, they remind of all the following:

King Crimson
Henry Cow
Massacre
The (ec) Nudes
Gunjogacrayon
Aphex Twin
Genesis (one track sounds like Gabriel singing)
Upsilon Acrux
Ahleuchatistas
Other Japavant bands

That's only after one listen.  Definitely a 5/5 for me.  It completely clicked for me.  Atlas and Tij almost had me dancing whilst sat down.  Wow!


Edited by Geck0 - December 05 2007 at 15:47
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Points: 2822 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 04 2007 at 21:16
"Atlas" got wedged in my cranium so badly that I had to go and buy the album.
 
'Tis most enjoyable indeed.  Thumbs%20Up
 
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Dick Heath View Drop Down
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Points: 12813 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 04 2007 at 08:37
Originally posted by chamberry chamberry wrote:

^^^ Tell me what you think of the EPs and Remix / DVD.  I'm planning on getting them by Christmas.

 
I mentioned Battles to one of our media people who immediately said "signed to Warp Records in the UK, home of Aphex Twin". And the eps/CD would support the reasoning for the signing - this hybrid of real time sampling/turntablism/hard rock/ math rock etc. but perhaps more clinical and less immediacy than most of Mirrored, especially with the longer tracks on both eps. I got the remix because I wanted the DVDs of Atlas and Tonto  (as shown on You Tube). The remix I can live without  - taking a limited number of musical elements that make up a tune, sampling and repeat playing them here really makes the 3 remixes less than the original studio recorded mix, for me. However, the cost of the set is worth it for having the two DVDs. Took all my Battles  away with me this weekend and had them played on a 52" HD screen  with full works home cinema stereo, and (apart from edging the pictures close to pixilation) Atlas and Tonto are fantastic - Tonto edges it for me because of the images created. However, Atlas's music wins and this  had a few new fans after my weekend visit, with folks ordering Mirrored. My daughter decided to played Mirrored incredibly loudly on the car CD played coming back - Atlas getting repeat plays.
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chamberry View Drop Down
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Points: 9008 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 04 2007 at 07:41
^^^  The album won't give in so easily. I started liking the album after 2-3 months after I got it.


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Points: 1594 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 04 2007 at 07:04
I listened to Mirrored the other day. I liked the African-influenced guitar on the first track but the rest didn't do much for me at all. I'll try to have a look at the videos to see if I change my mind.
"The disgusting stink of a too-loud electric guitar.... Now, that's my idea of a good time."
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Points: 1138 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 29 2007 at 16:37
Just picked up the EP C album a few hours ago.

Fantastic!

edit:

My mistake - it was the B EP, not EP C.


Edited by rushaholic - November 29 2007 at 19:05
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chamberry View Drop Down
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Points: 9008 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 28 2007 at 17:49
^^^ Tell me what you think of the EPs and Remix / DVD.  I'm planning on getting them by Christmas.

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Dick Heath View Drop Down
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Points: 12813 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 28 2007 at 07:38
 Mirrored is my most played (non-jazz) album of the year (currently in th Discman) - the Battles' eps on order and the remix/DVD was received yesterday.
The best eclectic music on the Web,8-11pm BST/GMT THURS.
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chamberry View Drop Down
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Points: 9008 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 26 2007 at 17:32
Welcome to the forums Hispanic friend. Smile
I wish they would go to Puerto Rico some day. It's hard to see bands live here, but I can still dream of it....
Originally posted by Proletariat Proletariat wrote:

listened to the EP C the other day, I dont think I liked it as much as mirrored. By the way when can I expect to see mathrock freed from being part of heavy prog.

I already presented the proposal to Max, now its a game of patience. These things take time (I've been talking about it in the mysterious Collab Section since August), but there are many people that are OK with the idea of a new genre so I have high hopes for it.

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Points: 1 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 25 2007 at 20:25
they were here in chile last thursday... I couldn't go but my brother did...

AWESOME show... according to his words...

I love the album... it's fun and heavy... can't help banging my head to Atlas...
"been here, been there... and in between..."
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Points: 1882 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 25 2007 at 19:27
listened to the EP C the other day, I dont think I liked it as much as mirrored. By the way when can I expect to see mathrock freed from being part of heavy prog.
who hiccuped endlessly trying to giggle but wound up with a sob
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chamberry View Drop Down
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Points: 9008 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 25 2007 at 19:05
That's good to know Micky. The band's definitely a grower. I'm on the lookout for their EP compilation.  Hopefully I'll get a chance to listen to it by Christmas...

Originally posted by rushaholic rushaholic wrote:

Listening to Mirrored as I write.  Love the band.

Great! I really liked your recent reviews. Are we going to see a review of Mirrors soon? Big%20smile

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Points: 46833 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 25 2007 at 18:46
slowly becomming one Ruben LOL... I told Richard, who played them on his radio show, that the more I hear them.. the more I like them. 
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Points: 1138 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 25 2007 at 18:42
Listening to Mirrored as I write.  Love the band.
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chamberry View Drop Down
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Points: 9008 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 25 2007 at 17:37
BUMP.

No new fans? Not even a negative comment about the band? Ermm

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