Liars
Drums Not Dead
2006
The first one was dancey, the second was witchy, dark & weird, but on their third record they started to drone. Liars put together a quiet, brooding record of sparse, tribal percussion and the awkward noisy sonics they honed on "They Were Wrong So We Drowned". Apparently for this album they also employed a conceptual theme to ride the record out. The figure Mt. Heart Attack is to refer to the anxious, self-doubting side of the creative process, while Drum is meant to be positive and productive creative energy. It's suitable conceptual development for a record with this much tension.
These songs, occasionally raising louder than a quiet dirge, have a solemn, considered pace that can be eloquently exemplified by the final track, "The Other Side of Mt. Heart Attack". It begins with a glacial ascent up, the slow introduction of plucked strings and the gradual "aahs" building in the background. Next comes the simple rhythm and eventually the lead vocals break: "If you need me / If you need me / I can always be found / I can always be found". Liars have crafted some perfect autumnal hymn music. -S.R.
This is an album that requires multiple listens in order to fully appreciate and potentially love. None of these songs are traditionally structured and, although they do have titles, the names of the songs are not incredibly important. Instead what Liars focuses on is creating an album with a consistently haunting atmosphere that is effectively maintained from start to finish. It comes together beautifully, and I highly recommend it to anyone searching for a new sound in their music collection. - Phil
You know what's funny, Steve? I will always have these two albums (Silent Shout and Drum's Not Dead) linked in my mind because those were the two that you burned for me after Pitchfork's Top Albums were released. Fitting!
ReplyDeleteHa, I'm sure my review sounds really silly given that the least haunting and most traditionally structured song on the album was chosen:)
Hey dudes-
ReplyDeleteLove the list so far. Can't agree with every choice but they all remind me of you guys and it's good reading waiting for me every morning.
I only have one complaint- you're almost half way through the list but there hasn't been one heavy release mentioned. Hip hop, electronic, atmospheric, rock, and indie are all represented but in my opinion this was heavy music's coming out decade. no dopethrone? leviathtan (I think Steve liked blood mountain more)? dopesmoker? boris pink? jane doe? fucked up? phil- where's your love for system of a down? this was the decade both pitchfork and rs paid attention to the guys and gals who cranked up the volume and kicked out the jams.
-mg
Don't worry Mike, they'll be some heavy.
ReplyDeleteWow, you're really payin attention, Mike! I'm impressed!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading! And like Steve said, don't fret. It may not be as heavily represented as you'd like but it will have a presence.
ReplyDeletealright I'll trust y'all. if anything you've inspired me to look back at one of the greatest decades in heavy music and visit some releases that i picked up for awhile. maybe i'll make my own list...
ReplyDeleteCheck back tomorrow, Mike.
ReplyDeleteHey! It's Michael "Dracula" Goldberg who has an Olives song to his name.
ReplyDelete