battles : dross glop 1

battles
dross glop 1
(download edition)
warp records
wap327


warp
battles

image ©warp

Well, it's been quite a while since I posted any updates here; due to the fact that I've bought very few records over the past few months. Although I have a acquired a few new releases -on download mainly- I just haven't got round to posting anything about them. Anyhow, I just got a download version of the latest release from Battles -a band that I really like. The idea reminds me very much of the great Tortoise Remixed project way back in the mid-90s (Unkle, Oval, Luke Vibert, Jim O' Rourke etc.) Dross Glop 1 one is the first of four 12-inch remix EPs of tracks from the band's last album "Gloss Drop." The A-side features a remix of "Wall Street" by Brazilian electronic music producer, Gui Boratto and the B-side; "Sweetie & Shag" remixed by The Field (who already did some remix work on the fabulous "Tonto" EP a couple of years back. I'm not too keen on the what Boratto's done -there seems to be some sort of Gloria Gaynor "I Will Survive" (I think) instrumental sample included and this completely spoils it for me. On the other hand, The Field's remix is really fantastic -I've listened to it about a dozen times today and I'll be listening to it even more over the coming weeks. Until the next volume appears anyhow. Highly recommended for the B-side alone. one2zero

battles : live @ the city hall, paris

Battles | Futura | A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

battles - ice cream

battles
ice cream
warp (download single)




A taster release from Battles' forthcoming long-player, Gloss Drop. Energetic riffs and punchy kicks with a guest vocal from Kompakt / Comeme records' Matias Aguayo.




It seems like it's been some time since Battles released anything -in fact, not since their superb Mirrored album way back in 2007- so it's great to hear this track from the forthcoming Gloss Drop album; scheduled for release early June 2011. More pop-like than what you'd expect from the band Ice Cream is quite funky and, like the artwork, very colourful. Recommended. Unfortunately, this is a download only; hope they'll be issuing some vinyl ahead of the album release. one2zero

battles - tonto ep

battles
tonto ep & dvd
warp234cd
also available on 12"

release info: warp

mp3 download: bleep

website: battles



(above: still from the united visual artists' making of tonto)

Fine choice for the EP treatment with interesting remixes from The Field and Four Tet. I'm a bit less enthusiastic about the DJ EMZ / Joell Ortiz remix of Leyendecker but maybe, after a few listens, I'll change my mind. Excellent packaging;artwork by United Visual Artists, the EP includes a DVD featuring the rather awesome video of the title track. Also by UVA. A bonus documentary 'Making of Tonto' by UVA is included as well as the Atlas video. one2zero

The Tonto+ release includes remixes from Kompakt heroes 'The Field', Four Tet, a reworking of Leyendecker from DJ EMZ and DR Dre mentored mcee Joell Oritz, plus two awesome live versions - which if you've ever seen Battles live means a lot more than your average live version. Both CD & 12" include a dvd with the full length videos of Tonto and Atlas plus a making of Tonto documentary feature too. (© Warp )