Gloss Drop

Battles | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: June 6, 2011
• Label: Warp Records
• Copyright: 2011 Warp Records Limited
• Total Length: 53:50
• Genres:
  • Alternative Rock
• ASIN: B0051WC4DI
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,712 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

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

By M. Buisman

Format: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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

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

By Ibanezarus

Format: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.

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

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.