Customer Reviews

Hidden

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
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These New Puritans first album "Beat Pyramid" was a fine record which I played quite a few times. With their second album "Hidden" they have gone far beyond their debut. Far beyond anything released this year in fact. It's not an easy album, in fact it is still driving me crazy while I write this. An moviescore opening followed by a collection of songs that all are related to war. This war is an all-encompassing war, a war of words, a war or worlds, an attack on the mind and this is the soundtrack. War has no logic, and "Hidden" has no logic. Beats that are like bombs, sometimes leveling an entire city, sometimes just severing a toe. Music that goes from attack music to classical interludes, or the crazy person in his own jazz world ("Hologram"), not knowing what is going on around him. It's a 21st century post-modern album for a 21st century post-modern war where you are not exactly sure who the enemy is, what the cause is and what you are fighting with. From bombs to swords to words, everything is used to the same effect. An album for lovers of classical music, 80's industrial rave and 90's hip-hop. Even Phillip Glass chord changes can be heard. "Hidden" is maddening, chaotic, mindboggling but absolutely brilliant album. This will definitely end up on a lot of end-of-the-year lists. (WideEyedExplorer)

Having heard "Three Thousand" from the Assassin's Creed trailer, I was instantly curious to know more about These New Puritans. So, I looked into them, read that they were a punk rock band, and immediately thought I would get the album. What I didn't understand is that they had completely changed from their first album "Beat Pyramid." This album is full of unique sounds, innovative structures, and is completely different than their first album. The songs flow pretty well and many have a strong drum pattern, which is one of the main reasons I like them so much. If you enjoy an album that gets better and better with each listen, than this is one for you.

I discovered this CD on "Uncut" magazine's Best of 2010 sample CD. It's an amazing and unique mixture of post-punk, hip-hop, and avant garde jazz, with some influences from early Peter Gabriel solo CDs. If that sounds good to you, check it out!

This is not for every taste. It is dark, percussive, and unrelenting. The recent nod as the best CD of 20110 by NME is not why you want to purchase this album. If you have listened to TNP priviously then by all means purchase. If the band is new to you, then give a listen first.