Blonde Redhead

23, Blonde Redhead's seventh full length release, is a soundtrack for dreams.

But newcomers to the sound of experimental rock beware-this album may trigger nightmares. Like some mystical creature carrying dark forebodings, lead singer Kazu Makino's eerie, high-pitched voice calls out, sacrificing concrete lyrics for sprawling, emotion-filled drawl. Her soft voice counteracts the gigantic-sounding drums, bass and distorted guitar, while the band still manages to fuse the two sounds with seemingly effortless perfection.

Pay attention, and 23 will seem all too strange. Lose focus, though, and every song seems to come together like a piece of beautiful abstract art.

The record, like abstract art, is not meant for everyone. It takes an experienced listener-one who has long-tired of MTV and who has ventured out into the world of less popular music-to appreciate this combination of post and indie-rock.