The Breeders – Mountain Battles[4AD; 04/08/2008]
Pixies queen, Kim Deal, once again calls the shots as to when her side project, The Breeders, knock heads together and release some new material. Along with sister, Kelley, bassist Mando Lopez and drummer Jose Medeles, The Breeders enlist producer (or in his preferred role, “recorder”) Stephen Albini as nurse for their latest batch of ditties, Mountain Battles.
Albini's influences is apparent through this rigid affair of alternative pop music. His top heavy lo-fi recording techniques are embellished throughout the album's duration, that on the whole, seems to lack any sense of longevity. Opening track 'Overgrlazed' is by far the album's highlight, with a dreamy pop waltz that hints of shoegazing undertones starting the album off with promise. The only other track that shapes up to any form resemblance is 'It's The Love' that's a beat faster in tempo and a little fuzzier in context.
It's good to see Kim Deal recording something new, with any new Pixies material seemingly placed on the back burner. Mountain Battles is an album that many may fall in love with for nostalgic purposes, but in terms of quality, this falls quite short of the mark.
By Simon K
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