Mountain Battles

The Breeders

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 8, 2008)
• Original Release Date: April 8, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: 4ad Records
• ASIN: B00133FBDY
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #54,234 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Breeders fans waited six years for Mountain Battles, a recording that nonetheless offers instant satisfaction, cherry-picking many of the lasting and likeable elements from the band’s three previous albums that were released across nearly two decades. Twins sisters Kim and Kelley Deal haven’t sounded as healthy and at ease since their 1994 hit "Cannonball." Yes, they still get those meaty hooks in you--Mountain Battles’ "It’s The Love" begs equally for radio frequency--but some tracks suggest a future that cuts a wider swath. "Here No More" evokes the classic country of the Carter Family while "Regalame Esta Noche" features Spanish lead vocals by the not-usually-Spanish-speaking Kelley. Not to be outdone, Kim takes to German for the peculiar "German Studies," a garage rocker à la 2002’s Title TK. The rest of the songs, from the Who-like "Overglazed," to the techno-poppy "Bang On," and "Walk It Off"--powered by a memorable bass line--are classic Breeders, who appear to be many years away from their literal last splash. --Scott Holter

Product Description

Their first album since 2002's "Title TK". By turns goofy, groovy, melancholy, strung-out, catchy, atmospheric, and at times, impossibly lovely, "Mountain Battles" underlines that Kim Deal is a songwriter and musician of rare intuition. Her songs move from offhand charm to emotional truth with casual grace, balancing scuffed-up noise against fraught silence; timeless structures against strange new shapes. And throughout is Kim's unique voice - languid, urgent, bruised, and beautiful. "Mountain Battles" captures all the bittersweet electricity of classic Breeders records like "Pod" and "Last Splash", and still manages to break new ground. Deluxe 28-page booklet with both formats. Look for appearances at SXSW, Coachella, and Bonnaroo, and a national tour upon release, followed by a fall tour.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars perfect, April 20, 2008

By	jonathingy (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews

I think I am going to have to buck the general opinion here in terms of this being an album that has to grow on you after a few listens. I liked it right off the bat, and I was surprised, due to the fact that I was prepared to share similar sentiments to other reviews. (That'll teach me to listen to reviews.) To me, Mountain Battles seems like a natural progression from Title TK, which, up until this one, has been my favorite of the Breeders' albums.

Far more introspective and moody than previous albums, the songs have some beautiful chord progressions, and Kim and Kelley's vocals have a wonderful, haunting quality.

Kim Deal has always done a bang up job of never repeating herself. From Pod, to Last Splash, to Pacer, to Title TK, and now Mountain Battles, each work stands on its own. In an industry where musicians sometimes strive to recapture past successes by recycling their sound, only to have it end up homogenized and bereft of character and texture, Kim acknowledges her past triumphs but moves forward. She's never tried to make another "Cannonball" and I, for one, am eternally grateful.

As of now, my current favorite is "German Studies", with "Night of Joy" a close second. However, I seem to have a bad habit with Breeders' albums (as well as The Amps' Pacer, and the two Kelley Deal 6000 albums) of getting a new favorite every week, until I go through all of the songs, so that is subject to change, depending on what time it is.

It was well worth the six year wait.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great follow-up to Title TK, April 9, 2008

By	Joseph Broze (chicago) - See all my reviews

I hate to say this, but I think this album might be a bit of a "grower". Upon first listen, this album did not strike my in the same way the first two Breeders albums, Pod & Last Splash, did. The recording seemed sort of flat, as another reviewer mentioned. However, I have just finished my sixth or seventh time all the way through and it really starts to open up.

Five stars to high? Well, first I think it is important that this is not early 90s Breeders but 21st century Breeders. This album is a definite improvement over "Title TK" (which I also liked). It is more concise and has some catchier songs.

Favorite jams here: Overglazed, Night of Joy, Walk It Off, It's the Love, etc.

In fact, the only song on here I do not like is the one sung in Spanish. The music is good and actually reminds me of the Pixies in some way but the vocals seem a bit awkward.

Overall, I definitely like this record and think it is a great addition to the already great Breeders catalog. I am definitely looking forward to seeing them on their upcoming tour!

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars To all you Breeders fans..you will soon be addicted., April 12, 2008

By	L. Fraedrich (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The first time I listened to this CD I wasn't sure if I was going to like it. I thought it might be a little too experimental for my tastes. (I felt that way with Title TK too and soon after couldn't get enough of it and still can't) But, the second time around I really started getting into it. To me it sounds like a perfect mix of Pod and Title TK. If you are a true Breeders fan, you will love it. My advice is before you form your opinion, listen to it at least 2 or 3 times. Best songs on the album in my opinion are Overglazed, Walk it Off, German Studies, No Way, It's the Love. Now after listening to it about 7 times I am addicted....