“Lenses Alien”
4 out of 5 Pitchforks
Barsuk Records
Released: Aug. 30
After Pitchfork Media named “Why There Are Mountains” among the 50 best albums of 2009, as well as a cozy feature in its best new music series, Cymbals Eat Guitars was propelled straight to the top of the indie rock food chain. It was the marvelous power of the hype machine in “next big thing” music in full effect.
It was the Staten Island band’s first full-length album, and 20-year-old singer/guitarist Joseph D’Agostino and fellow band mates were already making tremendous waves with both critics and ‘90s indie rock acolytes.
Cymbals Eat Guitars acclaim was naturally followed by comparisons. They were likened to predecessors such as Built To Spill, Pavement and Modest Mouse, a few of which were acknowledged as major influences on Cymbals Eat Guitars.
However, D’Agostino cited the New Jersey band, The Wrens, as perhaps one of his biggest influences. He recorded the band’s first demos and took guitar lessons for a period of time with The Wrens’ frontman Charles Bissell.
Two years and a few tours later, Cymbals Eat Guitars arrives with the fully focused “Lenses Alien.” Once again, the melding of slowcore, ‘90s indie guitar-rock and shoegaze that put them on the scoreboard in the first place is prevalent on the band’s follow up release.
“Lenses Alien” opens as ambitiously as their previous album. The sprawling eight and a half minute “Rifle Eyesight (Proper Name)” travels through similar sonic terrain found on their debut release’s opener “…And The Hazy Sea,” shifting and lurching its way upward before descending into a cavern of noise and feedback. The track eventually gains momentum, only to bottom out once more before detonating in its final minute of play.
D’Agostino’s vocals are erratic and his lyrics as strange as ever, but that’s all part of the appeal. There are times when he stumbles into absolutely charming melodies like in the more laid back, head swaying moments on “Another Tunguska” and “Definite Darkness.” While these songs don’t demonstrate the same exercise in dynamics as “Rifle Eyesight,” they are some of the more enjoyable tracks on the record. The two songs float, and occasionally burn steadily while D’Agostino’s voice slips in and out of falsetto and back into lazy slurring.
One of the most compelling characteristics of Cymbals Eat Guitars remains the guitar work, which is spectacularly on display all throughout “Lenses Alien.” Joseph D’Agostino never fails in discovering fresh, exciting guitar hooks that twist and bend the insides of your ears.
D’Agostino also shreds like a beast — but this isn’t your typical Eddie Van Halen-esque shredding. Imagine J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr., but possessed. In the middle of the band’s set at the Rhythm Room in 2010, D’Agostino laid into his Fender Jazzmaster so viciously that his pickguard became spotted with blood and his fingers were left lacerated.
For the most part, “Lenses Alien” is consistent throughout. It’s dramatic at times and washed out at others, but continually moves through the peaks and valleys fluently, leaving you happy with the ride.
Reach the reporter at tebrook1@asu.edu
