The Battles / 1939 Ensemble show the other day went about as well as could be expected. It sold out and felt like it. Stuffy air, nowhere to stand and see, every aisle/stairway blocked making me hate going to Doug Fir more than I already do. The sound was good, though, and the band played seemingly all-new material. Seeing the drummer from Mongoloid Village doing something - from my own perspective - "new" was interesting in itself even though I can't say 1939 falls under my radar. The show was also out just a little after midnight, something I appreciate a lot with my tight schedule.

Apparently members of Mogwai were in the audience, or so I overheard when one of them asked if they were on the list under "Mogwai" in a Scottish accent. I've never listened to them but I'm guessing they're not of my demographic. Just an interesting fact. They had a show here the next day.

I think I liked the song with the lady vocalist best ("Sweetie & Shag") but I need to hear the album to say for sure where I stand with the new stuff. The absence of T was felt despite the addition of the video vocalists. He seemed to balance them out a bit just by performing the so-called "frontman" role. As much as I like John, it's hard for a drummer to do that.

All the same, my day didn't get better after my afternoon of being told I was "da shit". I also thought the show did not live up to my May 4th or 5th in musical history (Mastodon, Opeth, High On Fire), but I've also changed a lot since the last time I was regularly listening to Battles (2007). I still like them but not to the same extent. Oh well.

Time to go listen to their album... It's out June 7th but, as you may be able to tell, it's swimming the internet already.

Edit: Apparently lady vocalist is from Blonde Redhead. Why didn't I immediately know that?