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Battles first surfaced in 2004 with a trio of EPs, but then kept the curious waiting for the full-length. The result: a less spazzy but still spirited post-rock record that lies somewhere between Hella’s noisy, lock-tight grooves and the melodic thoroughness of Tortoise. Unlike most noise bands that deal with a similar formula of layered effects and tight playing, Battles omit the freak-outs and the showing off — they play fast and loud, but they do it to a beat. Helmet’s ex-drummer John Stanier is mostly to thank, though Tyondai Braxton, son of avant-jazz composer Anthony Braxton, leads the fray. The choppy guitars beg for math-rock comparisons and the occasional looped beats scream glitch, but on this record Battles start to sound like what they really are: a four-piece rock band. ‘Atlas’ is the obvious standout, not just for its pounding synth beat and slick robot vocals, but because it’s got verses and choruses, too — not the first thing you’d expect from a consciously experimental band.
