Category: Music → The Breeders - Mountain Battles (2008)

Tracklist
1. "Overglazed" - 2:15
2. "Bang On" - 2:03
3. "Night of Joy" - 3:26
4. "We're Gonna Rise" - 3:53

5. "German Studies" - 2:16
6. "Spark" - 2:39
7. "Istanbul" - 2:58
8. "Walk It Off" - 2:46
9. "Regalame Esta Noche" - 2:52
10. "Here No More" - 2:39
11. "No Way" - 2:33
12. "It's the Love" - 2:28
13. "Mountain Battles" - 3:54

Information
The Deal sisters joined by Mando Lopez and Joese Medels are back with a new Breeders record the first in six years. This will make 4 albums in 18 years. Steve Albini is the producer of the band last two albums and is back for another go on this record. The band is best known for their song “Cannonball” from their album “The Last Splash.” For the young people, get on the youtube as it was a great song from the early 90s and did a lot for all of us and I am sure it is in a videogame or two these days as well. I know it gets me fired up.

If you were like me you had to go back and listen to the bands last album 2002s “Title TK.” The album was a strange and drippy adventure and was a huge departure from the first two record. “Mountain Battles” goes even further away from those two records. But, that is what 18 years will do to you.

The record takes some getting used to and settled into. The first listen just might not do it justice. The first thing you hear when you start the album is a spaced out riff and Kim or Kelly Deal tell us that they “can feel it.” It is hard to image ever hearing Breeders going prog but they have. Indie prog anyone? Then the album turns to “Bang On” which, is essential really heavy and lo-fi drums over some really strange lyrics about love. “Night of Joy” and “We're Gonna Rise” are two slow burners and at times do sound nice but they to easily blend into each other. “German Studies” is fun because it is sung in what sounds like German.

Then things start to get really confusing with “Regalame Esta Noche” as the band goes to Spanish. They went from German to Spanish in four tracks a bold move. The records picks up toward the end with “No Way” and “It's The Love” as both kick things up with some pop/punk sensibilities.

“Mountain Battles” is a strange album. It is arranged in a really confusing but different way and the two songs in other languages throw us off even more. The band were having fun making the record. It sounds like they just went in there and let it all out. It takes some time to getting used to but fans will be happy with the results.