Once upon a time there was a chick in this sort-of iconic band that you may have heard of. Fortunately, the story didn't end there for Breeders' frontwoman Kim Deal. During the final years of the Pixies and after their breakup, headstrong Deal has been giving 'em hell on her own accord.
The Breeders' first single, "Cannonball," made it on the Billboard chart, and the album Last Splash went platinum in '93. Since then, though, they've suffered lineup changes and other troubles, unfortunately making Mountain Battles only their second album in 15 years.
The Breeders take from an array of worldly matters for this album, yet still somehow mold each track into their own likeness even when singing in Spanish. "Overglazed" introduces us to the epiphany that is to come as Deal repeats "I can feel it," like she's just awoken to some life-changing realization. "Night of Joy" is a dreamy number, with lyrical guitars floating around Kim's breathy vocals. The drum-circle feel of "Istanbul" is a mysterious departure from the signature sound, but is still subdued, and simmers under the surface of the Deal sisters' tribal shouts. "Walk It Off" and "It's the Love" are poppy, hit-single material, while "German Studies" is the only dud, mainly because poorly-articulated German just gets old after a while.
For those of you that have missed the Breeders in the past decade, don't fear, they're back in almost the same condition that they left us in. Even though Kim and sister Kelley are the only remaining original members, they've packaged and freeze-dried their sound to withstand the test of time. Kim is the common denominator here and the rest of the band is still as adept as ever at catering to her. Just add water.
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