No new records in a month? Horseshit. It has been crazy. To make up for it though, I give you what possibly may be the best album released this year. Iron Lung Records (right?) gives us the long-waited for, critically acclaimed full length that was follows a slew of selectively released seven inches by Total Control. Fuck if this album isn't near perfect. Featuring members DX Stewart (UV Race) and Mikey from Eddy Current, this Aussie record continues the multiple year excursion of bands from down under pushing the envelope.
Nothing like the members former bands, this is a brilliant take on 70's rock a la Swell Maps with a perfect Eno touch. A beautiful, seamless record that slides up and down the post-punk scale. You will find touches of KBD punk followed immediately by confidentially krauty synth leads. In the heart of the album is "Carpet Rash," a perfect synopsis for the band. The monotone vocals reminiscent of darker new-wave, healthy electronics, and sharp guitars all collected with the perfection you would expect from such experienced musicians. Songs like the closer, "Love Performance" provide a striking resemblance to the repetition and hopelessness of prime Joy Division.
I suppose the most impressive part of the album is how educated is sounds. It is obviously an album written by people well-versed in the music that they are playing, both in how it is put together and where it comes from. This is not a thrown together accident, where the shit sticks to the wall. Like I said before, easily one of the best albums of 2011, hands down.
