The Breeders: Mountain Battles (4AD) - Out now

Kim Deal and The Breeders are back after a six-year hiatus. The time spent between releases must have paid off, because they’re having a lot of fun with “Mountain Battles.”

 

The lineup now consists of Kim Deal on vocals and guitar, sister Kelly Deal on the same, Jose Medeles on drums and percussion, and Mando Lopez on bass.

The intro, “Overglazed,” is one of the most exciting starts to a cd in a while. It’s just Kim singing “I can feel it….” over and over, her voice straining, with the guitars marching and crashing along. It’s a good precursor to the rest of “Mountain Battles.”

The Breeders weave the songs out of different fabrics and colors. They’re working on the minimalist approach (“Bang On”), and just using a single guitar note on the ethereal “Night of Joy,” with drums playing quietly in the background, says more rather than less. “Spark” keeps to just a few guitar notes too, but doesn’t take anything away from the song. The more you listen, the more you realize these are well-crafted songs.

Deal makes love to her guitar in a cover of the beautiful Spanish “Regalame Esta Noche.” It’s as gentle as a warm breeze. Going down a dusty road to hear “Istanbul,” the drum sticks keep time; the deep bass curves up and around. A sleazy harmonica breaks in to complete the picture.

There are at least a couple of “Cannonball”-type winners here as well. “No Way” keeps the fuzzy guitar alive as the tune gradually slows down. “German Studies” has the sisters singing in German, of course, and it’s just a fun song to rock to. “Walk it Off” has Kim “waiting for the message of life.” She may have found it on “Mountain Battles.”

It’s certainly an eclectic offering, and restores your lost faith in alt-rock.

Download these tracks now: “German Studies” “Bang On” “Walk it off”

Where to get it:

Amazon.com

http://www.4ad.com/breeders/releases/mountain-battles-0/