Premature Evaluation: The Breeders - Mountain Battles
We've already given a few hints about our feelings for Mountain Battles, the Breeders' first album since Title TK. In case you missed it before: We're basically blown away that Kim and Kelly sound so fresh after -- relatively speaking -- so long. Mountain Battles was recorded over a number of years, across locales, and with different producers (Steve Albini, Erika Larson, Manny Nieto), and languages (German, English, Spanish), but it impressively sounds cohesive and whole. We like some songs less or more than others, but there're no duds. Basically, the Deal sisters, along with Title TK players drummer Jose Medeles and bassist Mando Lopez. have returned to form to school any number of indistinguishable indie upstarts. Listen up indistinguishable indie upstarts.
Hard picking out a fave. "Walk It Off" feels like an immediate Breeders classic. (Funny that it's the same name of the Tapes 'N Tapes album it outclasses.) Then there's the simple, percussive, hooky jump-rope chants of "Bang On." Or, the mellow, spacious Pod-like crooning on "We're Gonna Rise." We also love the twangy, Deals-do-the-Carter-Family folk of "Here No More": "Creation sings / mountains bring / age is born / through memory / and lore / upon a saw / tall timbers fall / here no more / here no more." And, how on "Regalame Esta Noche," Kelley pulls a Jack White -- singing Spanish without knowing the language -- but with better results. Then there's "It's The Love" and it's lo-fi guitar sound that feels like a nod to the band's Ohio neighbors Guided By Voices. OK, while we're naming everything, how about the launching, rock burst of opener "Overglazed," the noisier "No Way," Kim singing propulsively in German on "German Studies," etc ... though at this point there's not much "etc" left...
Kim's spoken about adding more overdubs than in the past, but Mountain Battles is still so perfectly spare. The closing title track, which comes out of nowhere, is the most skeletal piece on the record, Kim singing "my heart's so full and fat / don't get hurt" over minimal organ hum. It's bare emotionally too: "I ride shotgun from the facility / whistling blues / and / shrieking luck." It feels mountainous, but like something frozen at the base. The album's final words, alongside a peeling, thin guitar thread, are "thinking of things / to do." Hmm, how about record a brilliant album?
No, there's no "Cannonball." There doesn't need to be.
Mountain Battles is out 4/7 in the UK and 4/8 in the US on 4AD.
Posted at 7:09 PM in Premature Evaluation
Tags: The Breeders
Uh...fresh? This album sounds like title TK part 2. Just without any good songs. This album sucks to the highest degree. She'd release this, but she wouldn't make another Pixies album?
Score = -4
On first listen I have only liked one song, which basically means I think the record is really bad. Let's guess it improves with several listens....
http://www.stereopills.com
Score = 0
That album cover looks like it should be a Pixies cover. I think they've even used that same font before.
Score = -2
yeah, I mean I usually agree with the 'gum and I'm a HUGE Breeders fan, but I can't wrap my brain around this yet. A few stand out songs, "Istanbul" (or "The She Pt. 2) & "Bang On", but the rest are so far not doing it for me. Title TK was a real slow burn, so hopefully something will happen "down there". In regards to the album art, yeah that's Pixies through and through. Here's a question: does Kelly smoke cigs? I know Kim chain smokes (saw it first hand) and you can DEFINITELY tell it in her voice, but Kelly sounds almost youthful in comparison... None-the-less, it's nice to have the gals back!
Score = 2
RE: The artwork the Breeders are a part of the whole 4AD family so it's no surprise that that the cover art shares a similar aesthetic to the Pixies.
And I've gotta say this - The Breeders were never that great. I mean they had some cool tracks but people act like they're these forgotten gods. They always were and still are just a pretty good band.
Score = 2
I think this Premature Evaluation pretty much nailed how great Mountain Battles is. The only thing I would disagree about is that "It's the Love" is clearly the best song, with Bang On as a close second.
Score = -1
Bang On and We're Gonna Rise are amazing
This album is great!
Score = 0
I love the album, think is breilliant really: My favs: Istambul, regalame, night of joy, German studies, spark
well done Deals!!!
Score = 0
“Mountain Battles” seems best absorbed as a whole. This is a really good album in my opinion. The songs may not stand up as strongly on their own. Put into context, they make for a really enjoyable listen. I probably listen to this twice a week..
Score = 0
im a huge breeders fan since pod....this feels like the "didnt make the cut" scraps from title tk..the german studies song seems to be the one i play most. the slow numbers (which in the past have always brought a tear to my eye) bore me immediately. walk it off is good, just sorta the standard "sound"...im not sure why everything isnt recorded with albini tho, thats her winning formula.
Now the artwork...holy god thats horrible. Why bring back the 1990 4AD style layout....? Her best album cover is title tk and it looks like it was made and shot in 3 and half minutes.
Albums like this are WHY people sick of paying 15 dollars for a cd.
Score = 0
I was a HUGE fan of Last Splash, enjoyed Pod mildly and would still like to find a copy of Safari on vinyl. Title TK is a wash, slow-burn my arse, and I simply adore the way Steve Albini records bands. This is silly, sophomoric crud from a band that has, and is, still riding the coattails of Charles Frank Black Francis. What an ego to deny everyone, especially the fans, a new Pixies record. Sad junkie with an ego trip. She's as dumb as hell, and people still think she's great because of Frank's songs. ...oh, and because she's a girl. Nothing sicker than olde junkies and olde hippies, except, maybe, new ones. Shame on you, Kimbo, Shame on you.
Score = 2
Some of you blokes are absolute tossers..have a couple of drinks and listen to it again, then tell me it does'nt sound better. Outstanding!
Score = 1
A beautiful, bracing, inventive album; their best one yet, and i'm a huge Breeders/Amps/Pixies fan. Just let it wrap around you ...
Score = 0
I love Kim Deal and have followed her music faithfully since she left the Pixies. That said, I feel bad for he for releasing this steaming pile. Mountain Battles sounds like exhausted feminists stroking their vaginas while lamenting the onset of old age.
Score = 2