Battles - C/B EP - Warp Records
Warp records may contain a varied and talented roster of artists but to the casual listener, Battles will represent the sound they expect from the label. This collection of former EP's showcases a band merging electronic bleakness with a warmth and bounciness of the instrumentation.
Even in the quieter moments, and the second half features a few low-end songs, the tension never lets up and the music continually flows and dances on edge. The guitars frequently swoop in and out, never quite riffing fully preferring to ebb and jab around the periphery of the songs allowing other sounds to make their presence felt.
Opener 'B+T' is an understated track with the high end bleeps being underscored by a nagging guitar line and sporadic drums fills and the rest of the first half builds in tempo and experimentation with phased effects and keyboard. This is an inventive, challenging and danceable record, which fuses classic guitar styles and rhythms with more modern beats and improvisation with 'IPT-2' featuring minimal vocals and a beat that steps throughout and 'TRAS 2' combining Kraftwerk-like chimes and dark bass growls.
Whilst the album never fully takes off and develops the beats and rhythms in a full-dance manner, the effect is never less than intriguing and repeated listens bring further gems and treasures. With live UK shows expected in the Spring and Summer, the bands reputation should continue to prosper before the Autumn release of their full-length debut.
7/10
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