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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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Dick Heath View Drop Down
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Points: 12813 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 06 2007 at 07:28
Geck and everybody, I've just read the "guest review" at the head of the readers reviews at Amazon .UK, this is what is writ:
 
Amazon.co.uk
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
 
Prog rock and Yes........................each to their own I suppose. Better by trying to bring many of the opinions offered: listen to the NEW rock music of Battles, but while  expecting  to hear any influences you like or no influences, expect to be taken to many new places aurally with their often whistle-along catchy tunes. Their music may not get you the first time, but the second or third play will probably have you. Will Mirrored be PA album of the year, or will this title go more retro prog.?
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Dean View Drop Down
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Points: 37575 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 06 2007 at 07:35
Oxford-based??? Confused
What?
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Points: 5871 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 06 2007 at 07:39
you can kill me for this, but...
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Points: 12813 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 06 2007 at 08:31
Originally posted by Prog-jester Prog-jester wrote:

you can kill me for this, but...
 
 
NO, you can live!! WinkMakes more sense than the paid-for review at Amazon.
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Points: 5871 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 06 2007 at 08:47
*sighs at ease*
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chamberry View Drop Down
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Points: 9008 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 06 2007 at 18:27
Originally posted by Dick Heath Dick Heath wrote:

Will Mirrored be PA album of the year, or will this title go more retro prog.?

Well, we'll need more than 3 or 4 collab aficionados for that, but I have my hopes up.Smile

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Points: 618 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 06 2007 at 18:32
YES. finally. thats great. Interesting genre placement though. i dunno. But hoooooray they are here.
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chamberry View Drop Down
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Points: 9008 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 06 2007 at 18:41
^^^ They're actually in Post-Rock / Math Rock genre, but there are some technical difficulties in the name tag so it still reads Experimental / Post-Rock.

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Points: 9008 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 06 2007 at 19:13
Originally posted by Geck0 Geck0 wrote:

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.


I agree. Not all math rock sounds like post-rock, but post-rock is the closest genre to math rock and since it had to be part of a genre here in PA I chose post-rock.

The tagging system sounds like a good idea, but I don't think it'll happen. I've heard of the idea months ago with other genres and I still haven't seen anything...

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Points: 10094 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 06 2007 at 19:20
not all Eclectic sounds like other Eclectic either


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chamberry View Drop Down
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Points: 9008 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 06 2007 at 19:35
^^^^ True, but the difference between Math Rock and Post-Rock is more drastic than the ones at the Eclectic genre. (Tera Melos / Sigur Ros? Ermm)

I don't have any problem with it as it is since the genre is just starting, but I know that after a while it'll get more confusing so I'll have to take action then.

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Points: 12625 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 06 2007 at 21:33
Originally posted by Dick Heath Dick Heath wrote:

Will Mirrored be PA album of the year, or will this title go more retro prog.?
 
I like Battles' album (though not as much as Ruben and you) and it is on my top albums of this year (though not at first or even top 5). What I liked this year, while it also includes several retro-prog were more in the avant and metal domains.
However, as for creativeness and relative originality, Battles score high in my book. It's fin to listen to, energetic, rhythmic and addictive. But having heard dozens of 2007 releases so far, Battles has quite a competition in my private "race". Very productive and fruitful year.
Anyway, I highly recommend Mirrored to all PAers.
 
 
Hanging Sounds

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Prog-jester View Drop Down
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Points: 5871 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 07 2007 at 03:15
Originally posted by avestin avestin wrote:


However, as for creativeness and relative originality, Battles score high in my book.


that's why I was close to 4 stars...but it all ended with 3 just because I don't liked it THAT much.

Ruben, change your 4 to 5
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VanderGraafKommandöh View Drop Down
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Points: 89372 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 07 2007 at 13:28
Originally posted by avestin avestin wrote:

Originally posted by Dick Heath Dick Heath wrote:

Will Mirrored be PA album of the year, or will this title go more retro prog.?
 
I like Battles' album (though not as much as Ruben and you) and it is on my top albums of this year (though not at first or even top 5). What I liked this year, while it also includes several retro-prog were more in the avant and metal domains.
However, as for creativeness and relative originality, Battles score high in my book. It's fin to listen to, energetic, rhythmic and addictive. But having heard dozens of 2007 releases so far, Battles has quite a competition in my private "race". Very productive and fruitful year.
Anyway, I highly recommend Mirrored to all PAers.
 
 


Well Comicopera by Robert Wyatt wins for me. Wink

Let me guess... Grayceon and maybe... the new Aleuchatistas? Wink

As for Mirrored, I really like it.  I need to hear it again, mind you.  I do think they're suitable for Avant-prog, but I can see why they're in Experimental/Math Rock too.
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enigma View Drop Down
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Points: 154 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 07 2007 at 15:24
Originally posted by rushfan4 rushfan4 wrote:

Not really doing much for me so far.  I am hearing some Les Claypool-type vibes however. 


I'm hearing Claypool / Primus too, along with bits of King Crimson.
I only picked it up today and I think it will take a while before I can give an honest opinion.
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chamberry View Drop Down
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Points: 9008 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 07 2007 at 16:39
Originally posted by Geck0 Geck0 wrote:

Originally posted by avestin avestin wrote:

Originally posted by Dick Heath Dick Heath wrote:

Will Mirrored be PA album of the year, or will this title go more retro prog.?
 
I like Battles' album (though not as much as Ruben and you) and it is on my top albums of this year (though not at first or even top 5). What I liked this year, while it also includes several retro-prog were more in the avant and metal domains.
However, as for creativeness and relative originality, Battles score high in my book. It's fin to listen to, energetic, rhythmic and addictive. But having heard dozens of 2007 releases so far, Battles has quite a competition in my private "race". Very productive and fruitful year.
Anyway, I highly recommend Mirrored to all PAers.
 
 


Well Comicopera by Robert Wyatt wins for me. Wink

Let me guess... Grayceon and maybe... the new Aleuchatistas? Wink

As for Mirrored, I really like it.  I need to hear it again, mind you.  I do think they're suitable for Avant-prog, but I can see why they're in Experimental/Math Rock too.

The new Ahleuchatistas is awesome!  I like it more than their 2005 album, but still nowhere near Battles...

Still need to listen to Wyatt's new album.

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Points: 28057 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 07 2007 at 16:45
I still need Mirrored. Who would have thought it wouldn't be at Best Buy?
My soundcloud. Please give feedback if you want!
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Points: 6419 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 08 2007 at 15:14
For those who haven't really gotten into Mirrors, I recommend hearing the EPs too. They were a bit easier on the ear, in my opinion.
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Points: 9226 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 10 2007 at 21:01
I don't really think I hear music in these two songs (the videos linked here by chamberry). I will give it another try, but it seems that I am the only one who does not (at least initially) appreciate this band Ermm
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