Gloss Drop

Battles | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 7, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warp Records
• ASIN: B004S526PK
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,504 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

It is true that Gloss Drop is a bewitching, entrancing album that defies both categorization and easy analysis. Just as Mirrored was a massive leap on from the early EPs that first got them noticed, this is truly another seismic shift, propelling them once more into uncharted territory. It is a sheer sense of fun, unpredictability and inventiveness that sets Battles apart from every other contemporary group. Drummer John Stanier sums this up succinctly: ''I don't think challenging, new music has to be super serious all the time. That's really boring to me and pushing boundaries should not be boring.'' While other acts are content to deal in revivalism or stasis, Battles are still looking for far-off boundaries to study and then demolish, searching for new and exotic styles to mesh together. Stanier concludes: ''When we're writing songs, no one in this group has ever said 'Wait, we've gone too far. This isn't a Battles song.' Because what is a Battles song? We don't know. All I know is that there are no parameters and no boundaries. That is the whole point and has been since day one.''

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It has Melodies!, June 20, 2011

By 

M. Buisman (Amsterdam) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gloss Drop (Audio CD)

Battles' musical style is such that losing a member means losing all the songs he played on, which was shown at their show in the Melkweg not too long ago. No Atlas or Tonto were played, but it was still easily one of the best concerts of the year so far. The departure of Tyondai Braxton left some, including me, wondering what would become of the Battles sound. "Gloss Drop" provides the answer, and a surprising one. Some elements are still intact; John Stanier's drumming is still some of the best in the alternative music scene. It takes about a minute in opener `Africastle' but the pounding is relentless and tight, like it was on "Mirrored" but it does not dominate the album.

What has changed is the overall mood. "Mirrored" could be dark and brooding at times, "Gloss Drop" is at times almost upbeat. This is in part because of the high pitched keyboards, which Ian Williams has more space for now. It even has melodies! The drumming and beats are almost more towards hiphop where the funky beats have replaced the really weird solid beats on "Mirrored".

Dave Konopko still provides the rumbling background sound with bass and lowtuned guitar.
Braxton was the singer but has been replaced with a score of guest vocalists. How do they do this live you ask? Well, two screens show images of the singer singing the vocals, and this can be manipulated. The brilliant `Ice Cream' vocals are provided by Chilean/German Matias Aguayo, and even Gary Numan shows up in the drum-heavy `My Machines'.

It is unfair to compare "Mirrored" with "Gloss Drop". The moods of the album are different, mostly because of the changing musical dynamics. "Gloss Drop" is stronger overall. While lacking some of the top tracks like the monumental Atlas (maybe the best piece of alternative music recorded in the first decade of this century) it is easier to access and a more pleasant listening experience. One thing is still certain, Battles is still as unique as ever and is as 21st century as music can get.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally.., June 10, 2011

By 

Ibanezarus - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gloss Drop (Audio CD)

Fell in love with the different layers of Mirrored, with each song being kinda like a flaky pastry. Know what I mean? You peel it back and there's another tasty layer. Well Gloss Drop is more like a Gobstopper. Still has those tasty layers, but it's a totally different food altogether. I agree about cruising to this during the summer with the windows down and volume up. Good stuff guys.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars HAPPY MATH ATTACK!, June 7, 2011

By 

s.t. (Philadelphia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gloss Drop (Audio CD)

Without former vocalist Tyondai Braxton around, 'Gloss Drop' of course feels a bit less "songy" than 'Mirrored.' But, really, who lists that quality among reasons to listen to Battles releases? Regardless, this is quite an infectious sugary rush of beats here, much more joyously kinetic than their pre-Mirrored material, and a number of guests vocalists stop by once in a while to change things up. All in all, "Gloss Drop" is an effortlessly enjoyable record that's a lot of fun to blast on some decent speakers. Current standout tracks: Ice Cream, Inch Worm, My Machines, and Sundown.