Battles – “Gloss Drop” – [Warp Records Ltd]

Here is the second release by Battles, featuring a new lineup with the absence of former vocalist and guitarist Tyondai Braxton. I found this album to be quite intriguing. It echoes of math rock, is upbeat, heavily syncopated and even orchestral of theatrical at times. The music here is calculated, and seems to emphasize experimentation in musical textures, tones and sounds as opposed to melody. There is a really heavy electronic element here, but it works well and blends perfectly, its hard to tell where the electronics start and the human instrumentation begins. It runs smooth and seamlessly, a perfect blend of man and machine. Like a cyborg. This sounds to me like a demented video game soundtrack. Vocal tracks are marked with featured artists. Tracks end abruptly. This album in delightful. Enjoy. -Surfer Rosa