WIXIW
(2012, Mute Records) USA, NYC.
Here is Liars’ new album.
Let the rock behind and let’s play some electro. Yes it is a radical change but I appreciate that Liars are artists who constantly try new horizons.
I didn’t really enjoyed their live in Paris @ le Nouveau Casino the 7th of June 2012 (I was a little bit turned off by this electronic drumkit where the drummer just beated the tempo on a pad on the electro songs, instead of playing the rhythms. It was particullary frustrating, knowing that Aaron Hemphill is a good drummer and proved it over the years).
But then I came back to the album and I finally discovered 4 amazing songs.
Let’s start with WIXIW which is awesome. I mean, vocals are perfects, synthesizer’s melodies too. I love the part at 1:56.
This song is perfectly introduced with Ill Valley Prodigies, pretty simple, but with an efficient ambience and a disillusioned vocal part.
Electro-rhytmic patterns in Octagon are classy and it’s one of the only electro song which really worked in the crowd.
Then I loved Flood To Flood.
That album gave me mixed feelings.
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COUP DE COEUR : MY TOP 5
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| 1. WIXIW |
| 2. Octagon |
| 3. Flood To Flood |
| 4. Ill Valley Prodigies |
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No. 1 Against The Rush (Ep)
(2012, Mute Records) USA, NYC.
That Ep was released with “Wixiw” and include No. 1 Against The Rush which is really cinematic. It should be the theme of a Tv-show.
Vince Clarke’s remix didn’t overcomed me.
Matmos’ one neither.
We’ll Never Learn starts in weird way but I love when comes that low piano/synthe.
For fans.
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COUP DE COEUR : MY TOP 5
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| 1. No. 1 Against The Rush |
| 2. We’ll Never Learn |
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Sisterworld
(2010, Mute Records) USA, NYC.
After their self-titled “Liars” it seems hard to stay on the level.
And they released the terrific “Sisterworld”.
The big hit arrives at the very first song Scissor. I don’t even know what to say : Bravo. Here is the videoclip, really cool : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk-z6L_43lY
Then there is a change of universe with No Barrier Fun and its huge production on vocals/bass guitar/drum and I love the touch of Cello and Xylophone.
Scarecrows On A Killer Slant is awesome, I love the guitar sound and the energy in that song.
There is too The Overachievers which sound a little bit that way, with a surfrock touch which is great (Yep I know that time I turned my top in a top 5+1).
Here Comes All The People is the ambiences’ master ! The way the vocals overlap is genius. Again bringing some strings is great and the main riff will remain in your head for six months at least.
I Still Can See An Outside World will end the work and thanks to them you’ll probably have many nightmares. Very good work.
A Must-have in your collection : What a band !
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COUP DE COEUR : MY TOP 5
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| 1. Scissor |
| 2. No Barrier Fun |
| 3. Scarecrows On A Killer Slant |
| 4. The Overachievers |
| 5. Here Comes All The People |
| 6. I Still Can See An Outside World |
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Houseclouds (Ep)
(2007, Mute Records) USA, NYC.
Second 7″ Ep following their self-titled album “Liars”.
You’ll find that huge single Houseclouds, as described below.
And Dear god is pure noise.
For crazy people.
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Plaster Casts Of Everything (Ep)
(2007, Mute Records) USA, NYC.
First 7″ Ep following their self-titled album “Liars”.
Side 1 you’ll find the awesomesque Plaster Casts Of Everything. Do I need to say again that I love that song ? Yes, Bravo !
On side 2 is Volcano Police which has an interesting guitar riff.
For fans.
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COUP DE COEUR : MY TOP 5
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| 1. Plaster Casts Of Everything |
| 2. Volcano Police |
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Liars
(2007, Mute Records) USA, NYC.
I discovered Liars thanks to sir Siergie, Romain his first name.
First that picture on the cover : Excellent.
Let’s start with that mythic song : Plaster Casts Of Everything which concentrate all I like in music : Energy, great production, perfect vocal parts. The video clip is huge too : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Vrw0ZUfg9g
I love too Clear Island, its chorus and the guitar’s effect which are killers. I love the break at 0:40 with the vocals only.
In a different style, you’ll find Houseclouds which rocks and has a great video clip : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFWVVKAlIGM
The part at 2:49 in Sailing To Byzantium is genius ! (as for the vocal theme coming again with the high octave).
The part at 1:07 in Cycle Time is terrific !
I think that Liars found a good balance between rock music and noise experimentations.
A Must-have in your collection ! Excellent.
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COUP DE COEUR : MY TOP 5
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| 1. Plaster Casts Of Everything |
| 2. Clear Island |
| 3. Houseclouds |
| 4. Sailing To Byzantium |
| 5. Cycle Time |
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Drum’s Not Dead
(2006, Mute Records) USA, NYC.
“Drum’s Not Dead” is an original album, recorded in Berlin.
This record is really ambient and I don’t really connect with it.
Indeed many of the songs reminds me of Health’s first album (maybe the effect on the guitar on Let’s Not Wrestle Mt. Heart Attack and this kind of percussions)
There is only one song I really like : It Fit When I Was A Kid, it is the most punchy song in this album and there is these great à la Liars’ vocals. The part at 2:05 with the organ and the high vocals is really terrific.
For fans.
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COUP DE COEUR : MY TOP 5
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| 1. It Fit When I Was A Kid |
| 2. Let’s Not Wrestle Mt. Heart Attack |
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They Were Wrong , So We drowned
(2004, Mute Records) USA, NYC.
Here is Liars’ second album, very experimental and noise.
My favorite song on that record is There’s Always Room On The Broom. I love the rhythmic patterns and the soundscape in that song.
I love the end of Broken Witch.
The rest of the record requires to be listened as a whole, made with following experimentations.
The most interesting parts of it are They Took 14 for the Rest of Our Lives and If You’re A Wizard, Why Do You Wear Glasses ? (best title ever).
For fans.
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COUP DE COEUR : MY TOP 5
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| 1. There’s Always Room On The Broom |
| 2. Broken Witch |
| 3. If You’re A Wizard, Why Do You Wear Glasses ? |
| 4. They Took 14 for the Rest of Our Lives |
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They threw us all in a Trench and Stuck a Monument on the Top
(2001, Gern Blandsten Records) USA, NYC.
First album by Liars, noise rock trio, first living in NYC and then in LA. It is probably their most rock release. It is the only album with a full-time bassist.
Loose Nuts On The Veladrome is this album’s hit. I lays many of the Liars’ bricks you’ll recognize along their career. Genius.
With Mr. Your On Fire Mr. or We Live NE Of Compton (terrific part at 2:27), you fill your dance-punk appetite. Charley and low bass guitar in the place. It reminds me of the band Attractive And Popular.
The Garden Was Crowded and Outside reminds me of early The Ex Models.
Nothing Is Ever Lost or Can Be Lost My Science Friend is well-done ambiences-wise.
That artwork is absolutely great. I love it.
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COUP DE COEUR : MY TOP 5
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| 1. Loose Nuts On The Veladrome |
| 2. Mr. Your on Fire Mr. |
| 3. The Garden Was Crowded and Outside |
| 4. Nothing Is Ever Lost or Can Be Lost My Science Friend |
| 5. We Live NE Of Compton |
Liars’ Official website : http://www.liarsliarsliars.com/