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Gloss Drop - Battles
  • Band Name: Battles
  • Record Label: Warp
  • Release Date: Jun 7, 2011
Gloss Drop Image
Metascore
79 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.6 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 22 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Summary: The second full-length album for the New York rock band features Matias Aguayo, Gary Numan, Kazu Makino, and Yamantaka Eye as guest musicians.
  • Record Label: Warp
  • Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Indie Rock, Post-Rock, Experimental Rock, Math Rock, Neo-Prog, Prog-Rock
  • More Details and Credits »

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 37
  3. Negative: 0 out of 37
  1. Expert Witness (MSN Music)
    Jun 7, 2011
    91
    So much better than a Ferrari that never needs a tune-up, muse I. In the studio they're less accident prone, and they still tintinnabulate some. But now they also grunt.
  2. Filter
    Jun 7, 2011
    90
    Though the sound can come off as aggressive, if not anxiety-inducing at times, it's the tiny revelations that make the vicious drumming, harsh guitars and freaky vocals worthwhile, summing up for an experience that is as delightfully fucked up as it is musically seamless...with unexpected steel drums making appearances in between.
  3. Mojo
    Jun 21, 2011
    60
    Radical tech rockers' microshift to the center ground. [July 2011, p. 100]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 37 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Butsku
    10
    I've been waiting to hear this record for years. Mirrored is my favourite album of the 00s and Gloss Drop seems to raise the bar even further. After several listens I can safely say that this will be the record of the year, no matter what is released in the other 6 months of 2011. This is how the future of music sounds and it sounds damn good.… Expand
    • 3 of 3 users said yes
  2. micho224
    9
    Great album, enjoyed it much more that Mirrored; however just like Mirrored Gloss Drop is a grower. Gloss Drop sees Battles employ guest vocalists in order to make up for the loss of frontman Tyondai Braxton, and this approach works quite well. The instrumental tracks are also good with africastle and wall street being standouts. Overall Gloss Drop is a great album; however it isn't for everyone.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. Calciferus
    9
    While the album lack vocals, it's reinforced with plenty tweaked guitar strums, rad bass lines and constant beat. The tracks that really stand out for me is Futura and Ice Cream.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 9 User Reviews

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