Teetering on the brink of fame seemingly since the concept of fame began, London quartet Battle keep misjudging their releases, failing for example to build upon the buzz of the incredible ‘Tendency’, released back in 2005 on Transgressive. That single reached #37 in the hit parade, impressive for a band that hadn’t yet released an album. That record is finally here, though critics seems to be out with knives for Battle, a little too much schadenfreude at their failure to have made it in light of such early promise. But then, that epithet always crashes down on bands aiming to scale U2/Coldplay heights – just look at the ribbing Editors are getting now.
Admittedly, ‘Tendency’ is not typical of this band’s output. That song with its electrogroove underpinning would be lost on this release of introspection, squaring up to demons and suchlike. Final track ‘The Other Way’, seemingly slotted in as an in-joke, is perfect indie-pop though.
Break the Banks is a good record. Opening with lead single ‘The Longest Time’, Vocalist Jason Bavanadan’s angsty self-examination: “How long have I been living in limbo?” sets the tone for the remainder of the record. It’s not overwrought, as others have written. Given that inferior bands ‘tackle’ pissups and other vacuous, insipid drivel, Battle’s offerings on inner and wider conflict are to be admired.
‘Looking For Bullets’ begins with haunting guitars has a couple of way-out-there lyrics: “A regular Lex Luther / Born to part the waves”. Mid track it changes tempo into the jaunty, synth-washed refrain “You plan to pay for it, don’t you?” And then for no reason other than it’s weirdness in words, the line about the piano: “Why has this piano been discarded in the rain? Will it ever have a song pass through its chambers again?”
The criticism comes when the word single is mentioned. This album does not boast a stand-out tune of the likes of ‘Tendency’ or ‘Children’. Treat it as a whole body of work though and you won’t be disappointed.
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