Cymbals Eat GuitarsLenses Alien
Barsuk Records [2011]
Fire Note Says: Indie darlings Cymbals Eat Guitars avoid the sophomore slump with Lenses Alien!
Album Review:
Trying to follow up a highly praised debut is always a steep climb but against the usual tough odds, Cymbals Eat Guitars make it happen with the infectious Lenses Alien. Many times a band making the move from their self-released era have problems with the transition to working with a record label, bigger recording budget and staying creative but on the opening 8 and half minute track "Rifle Eyesight (Proper Name)", Cymbals Eat Guitars put any questions that they have been affected to rest. It is a track that has dynamic shifts and sounds as massive as its running time, while being extremely heavy up front but totally serving a purpose, as it sets the tone of Lenses Alien and flows into the superbly catchy second track "Shore Points" that is just over 2 minute in length. What I really like about Lenses Alien is that it absolutely does not try to be anything special. Much like their debut, Cymbals Eat Guitars make moments happen and Lenses Alien is no different as the guitar riff in "Keep Me Waiting" stands out or like how the last 25 seconds of "Plainclothes" takes off like a jet plane. Cymbals Eat Guitars can then put together the soft almost balled "Definite Darkness", which will just put your speakers in awe with its effortless execution. This ability to alter song structures on a whim continues on Lenses Alien and gives the record a high replay value. This album does not meet the majestic flow of Why There Are Mountains [2009] but also should not be discounted or overlooked because it is a stylistic piece of indie rock that puts Cymbals Eat Guitars into the convented upper echelon of bands that will continuously have high expectations placed upon them for each release because they are just that good!
Key Tracks: "Shore Points", "Definite Darkness", "Keep Me Waiting"
Bands With Similar Fire:
Built To Spill
Nada Surf
Modest Mouse
Cymbals Eat Guitars: Why There Are Mountains [Fire Note Review 3/29/09] (#8 Top 50 2009)
Cymbals Eat Guitars Website
Cymbals Eat Guitars Facebook
Barsuk Records
-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony
1 comments:
I think you were too unenthusiastic in your praise. I listened to their first album and it was good and I liked it but I never returned to it. This one is a lot better, I think. These guys are excellent. For me, they capture lots of different moods. That's what listening to music is all about. I really like the lead singer's voice, and the musicians obviously know what they're doing. I love this record.
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