While Battles have suffered from a profound lack of mainstream exposure, many of those familiar with their idiosyncratic brand of indie experimentalism have touted the group as the future of rock music. I've always felt that if a single style can be said to be indicative of the direction of the industry as a whole then the future of the medium will doubtless be rather stale and formulaic, but what I wouldn't dispute is that Battles' full length debut, Mirrored, is indeed a truly unique foray into the realm of innovative noisemaking, a brilliantly realized opus that truly sounds like no other rock act on the contemporary music scene.
The revolution that Battles enact is purely musical, as the band's lyrics are seldom decipherable, let alone meaningful. Rather than attempting to convey complex messages or erudite sentiments through their words, Battles treat their lyrics as ingredients for their intricately structured sonic architecture.
Battles' arrangements are meticulously crafted down to the smallest detail, implemented with an unerring mathematical precision, yet despite this almost robotic perfection the band's music always feels fresh and organic. Battles' songs feel like the colorful voices of artists filtered through a computer, as opposed to the monochromatic voice of the computer itself a la Autechre.
Battles are comprised of the alum of several obscure indie outfits, yet despite their relative lack of familiarity with one another their interplay is flawless, betraying a level of chemistry seldom encountered in groups that have been playing together for years. A troupe of multi-instrumentalists, Battles depicts an elite group of virtuosos gelling together perfectly, with each note in precisely the right place. While this can partially be attributed to the obviously extensive studio editing process, it's clear that even with the layers of enhancements stripped away the group are a formidable presence when it comes to instrumental chops, and their merits as an ensemble are unmistakable.
From all of my allusions to mathematical precision and mechanical perfection one would be forgiven for concluding that Battles are a painfully serious, self-important, no-nonsense rock group, but this couldn't be further from the case. There's a certain sense of whimsy that inhabits most tracks on Mirrored, dispelling any danger of the band degenerating into somber, pretentious intellectualism. Battles rarely take themselves seriously, which renders their monumental self-indulgence far more palatable.
Each soundscape on Mirrored is truly a stunning sonic spectacle, a panorama of interlocking networks of notes and chords that collide with the utmost grace and fluidity. Each note falls into place with a tehcnical level of flawlessness, yet there are no traces of scientific sterility or robotic artificiality.
Despite the intricate process unfolding on Mirrored the melodies remain highly accessible and compelling, animated by a vitality and charm that effortlessly penetrate the layers of potentially numbing 'perfection.' Instantly gratifying pop hooks abound, as the listener is never forced to exert much energy or wade into the deep, mind-blowing arrangements in order to enjoy the music. While it's true that in order to fully appreciate the album one must endeavor to process the layers upon layers of aural richness, this task is hardly necessary to have a good time, though it is true that such diligence will be duly rewarded.
Highlights abound, and the harshest critique that can be leveled against a track is, as in the case of numbers like Prismism, merely a matter of unfortunate brevity. Race: In is a perfect introduction to the off-kilter world of Battles, while Atlas manages to be anthemic despite its mantra-like squeaky chanting. Ddiamondd is controlled chaos at its finest and Leyendecker is infectious with its maddeningly catchy pseudo-vocals, though it's on the epics that Battles truly excel. Thus Rainbow's gradual build-up propels it to the heights of sonic majesty, Tonto is extremely catchy and Tij, despite a potentially grating sound sample that recurs throughout it, is still a wonderful showcase for the band's gifts, be they technical or eccentric.
The one unavoidable problem that one will encounter on Mirrored is that the tracks, while immensely entertaining, consummately unique and original and flawlessly performed and produced, simply aren't engaging from an emotional perspective. This is an inevitable product of what's ultimately a deeply experimental, artistic and intellectual exercise. While the band evade the usual pitfalls of a project of that nature, namely never sounding pretentious, calculated, bloated or elitist, they can't conceal the fact that Mirrored was never meant to affect one on an emotional level, and while not all albums need to evoke deep feelings from the listener this does serve to dilute the ultimate potency of the CD as a whole.
Nevertheless this liability, if it even is one, can easily be overlooked given the copious merits of the album. Mirrored is a true masterwork, a unique, one-of-a-kind experience that may not be the future of rock music but certainly would be a welcome addition to the musical annals of any era. Boasting terrific melodies, unconventional yet unforgettable pop hooks and a healthy level of diversity that doesn't compromise the cohesive feel of the album, Mirrored is quite simply an amazing product. It may not move you on an emotional level, but it excels in virtually every other department.