Customer Reviews

Mountain Battles

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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!

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....

Mountain Battles takes you places. It's not an easy journey to make in small steps (so I wouldn't rely on short samples to get there). It seeps in with repeated listens over time.

I've found that there's pretty much a track for any mood on the record. I might jump in a soft spot like "Night of Joy" to color a quiet moment. Reflect on life and stuff.

Looking for a boost, I'd skip to "Walk It Off" - as hook-laden and bright as anything in the Breeders catalogue.

Up-tempo or down, it's solid.

Every single track has a decided vibe, with little details that creep out of the corners and tease playfully. It's always genuine, and a little weird in the good way.

No matter where I jump in, I always stick around for the rest of the short ride that is Mountain Battles.

It's like a whole lifetime was crammed in there, and it whets the appetite for more.

If you love The Breeders work, the lot of it, not just a single -- you'll very likely love this album. Give it a bit of attention, it will offer reward.

I have to say, I agree with some previous reviews that liked this right from the start. I'm a long time fan, and while this collection maybe isn't quite as blatantly catchy, or "hooky", it is low fi, has a great gritty feel to it, and I identify with it. My only critique is that it winds up feeling a little similar after while, but the ultimate tes is whether you go back and keep playing an album or cd, and this passes the test. I'm looking forward to seeing them live this month, and I think this release will bring fans close to them in that type of setting.

Like many people, I've been a Breeders fan since I heard Canonball.
I always thought Last Splash was a great album. Then I heard Pod, which just hit me as a classic!

After buying Title TK (and loving it), I came to the conclusion that the "real" Breeders weren't really about fast-paced alternative power-pop and radio-friendly songs (like Canonball) as I had initially thought. They're much better than that and Mountain Battles proves it.

The minimalistic approach to songwriting and playing makes the songs on this album very concise and bare. They are melody in its most concentrated form, so I'm a little surprised by reviewers claiming that there is no melody. It's so stripped of everything superfluous that all that's left IS melody. Yes it's lethargic, and no, it's not for everyone, and especially not for those expecting another "Last Splash".

I did have to a listen to it a few times to appreciate it, and I now feel that it's the best Breeders album since Pod. I just love the song "Spark". The album is a natural, positive evolution from Title TK.

It leaves me wanting more, in a positive way, like a great movie you don't want to see end.

Kim Deal's songwriting genius is at a peak, and yes... she's cool.

the deal sisters do it again. such restrained beauty and lyricism.

they combine some elements from TITLE TK -- the restraint and spareness, the abilty to make important what has been peeled back and revealed, the wheat from the chaffe. they also weave in the hookier, more melodic vocals into this mix that were prominent on the earlier songs, throw in overdubs, and a tough of gloss.

most importantly, they still take risks.

kudos to the crazy twins. they take some of the more hyped indie bands to the wood pile with this one. listen up youngsters!

The Breeders - Mountain Battles (2008)

Singer, guitarist and head Breeder Kim Deal in interviews has expressed a fear of sucking since going clean off drugs. Upon first listen to MOUNTAIN BATTLES, I was afraid her fears may have come to pass. Quite honestly, I found many of these songs to be slow, plodding, tuneless and uninspired. I had to go back and listen to POD, SAFARI and LAST SPLASH to remind myself that I really did love this band. Breeders songs have always had primitive instrumentation, but MOUNTAIN BATTLES is REALLY, REALLY primitive sounding. Apparently, they were going for that lazy, strung-out junkie vibe. Without the drugs. (-?)

Determined to give the album a fair shake, I have since warmed up to MOUNTAIN BATTLES quite a bit and I've come to appreciate its bohemian charms. I agree with the general consensus here, this album is a "grower" (which seems a little strange because it's not like having to digest overly sophisticated prog-rock).

It's always good to accept an album for what it is, not for what you think it SHOULD be. The majority of MOUNTAIN BATTLES is pretty mellow. There aren't any wall-of-sound superblasts as heard on past gems like "New Year," "Roi" or their killer cover of "Happiness Is A Warm Gun," but some of these songs are pretty rockin' anyway. Kim Deal's voice is slightly more ragged, but she can still deliver heavenly harmonies. She still has that high-pitched, sexy little girl thing going for her.

BREAKDOWN!

"Overglazed" - a blast of primal euphoria. Cool backwards guitars and spastic drums. The lyrics consist entirely of, "I can FEEL it! Oh, oh, oh, OH, oh, OH!" What can she feel? I'm not sure but it feels good! ****1/2

"Bang On" - Like every song on MOUNTAIN BATTLES, the bass sound is WAY turned up on this one. Slinky guitars and scattered hand claps propel this song, a real charmer despite (or maybe because of) the fact that the musicians sound like they just learned how to play. "I love no one/ And no one loves me" - pretty basic, but pretty cool. ****

"Night of Joy" - a mellow tune, sweet and dreamy. ***1/2

"We're Gonna Rise" - another mellow one, a little more interesting, it sounds lethargic and sleepy. Features sweet vocal harmonies. ****

"German Studies" - a rockin' beat but pretty awful melody, I just can't get with this one. The lyrics sound like faux-German gibberish. **

"Spark" - almost tuneless and stagnant in places, but does feature some sweet vocals, harmonies and a plaintive guitar, interrupted by strange vocal injections. A weird song. Weird is good . . . or at least something off the beaten path. ***

"Istanbul" - Kind of meandering, vaguely mysterious and Middle Eastern. I find the chanted "chorus" to be rather annoying, but some will no doubt think it's cool. ***

"Walk It Off" - a fun song with an old-school alt-rock beat. A groovy, laid-back rocker. ****1/2

"Regalame esta Nocha" - sung passionately in a peculiarly accented Spanish with very pretty guitar. ****1/2

"Here No More" - a waltz rhythm strummed on acoustic guitar. Sweet song. ****

"No Way" - atonal singing with heavy electric guitar, bass and drums. Sloppy and cool, barely hangs onto the beat. ***1/2

"It's The Love" - a rockin' song written by the Tasties. Has a exuberant guitar and spirited singing. Messy and fun. ****

"Mountain Battles" - a weird, barely there track with bizarre vocals and elongated organ notes. Distorted guitars emerge towards the end of the track. Weird, weird tune. ***

Mountain Battles is a great follow up album by the Breeders. It has been 14 years since we've heard their most popular album, Last Splash (93-94). I didn't buy their last album, so cannot comment on it, but I do recognize the old Last Splash Breeders is now a different group, with new members along with old. This album has some good tunes that ignite interest right away, and a couple that need more listening. I'm glad I bought this record, overall, and would recommend it to other Breeders lovers.

I'll keep it short and sweet - I truly think this is easily their second best CD ever. I don't think they'll ever top "Last Splash", but I enjoy this one better than all of the rest. It did take me 2-3 or three listens to get into it too for some reason, but I'm glad I did get into it finally.