What’s Up?
Content Imagination
Obey Your Brain; 2009
Yes, Mirrored was one of the more critically lauded and over-hyped records of 2007 (correctly so, in my opinion), and yes, “Atlas” was remixed and mashed up by producers and DJ’s all over the globe. Nevertheless, I would rather hear Battles and its acolytes compose a proggy post-rock tune than the vast majority of the Explosions In The Sky wannabe acts out there. I’ll take snaking lines of afro-pop-tinged guitars, wonky keyboard trills, and furiously syncopated drum patterns over layers upon layers of shimmering, reverberating guitars any day.
It seems that the gentlemen of What’s Up? have been listening to my prayers and wishes, since the seven instrumentals that make up Content Imagination overflow with tight, technically precise music that also manages to be upbeat, fun, and engaging. The band’s stylistic influences include the aforementioned Battles, but quality chunks of the kind of arty, left-of-center pop made by Dirty Projectors can be heard quite frequently.
In my estimation, the bubbling, pulsing beats and the noisy swagger of the synth lines are what drives these songs, especially on “Seasoning’s Greeting,” “Fool’s Gold,” and “A Long Expression.” The only misstep to be found is with the concluding track, “The French Song,” as it’s mostly unfortunate, experimental electro-clash nonsense that stands in complete contrast to the rest of the album. That being said, Content Imagination stands as a welcome addition to the school of deconstructed post-modern post-rock.
July 6th, 2009 00:40
July 6th, 2009 11:23
If I remember correctly, this record dropped back on May 19th, 2009. I was just a lame slacker and didn’t post my review closer to the actual release date. Thanks for reading!