Mirrored
by Battles
  • Record Label: Warp
  • Release Date: May 22, 2007
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 184 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 149 out of 184
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 184
  3. Negative: 19 out of 184

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  1. TristanJ
    May 21, 2007
    10
    Takes you places you've never been before, then reminds you of where you've been with a different take on contemporary indie music that leaves you with nothing to do but re-evaluate everything you've listened to in the last five years. Wow...
  2. EricC
    Aug 14, 2007
    10
    First time I listened through it and I had no idea what to think. I was wierded out and confused by the barage of beats, sounds, and distorted vocals. But than on another listen, something clicked. It all come together perfectly. This cd reeks of talent, and this being their debut, music fans need to get in to this band. I don't know much about math rock, but these guys seem ready to First time I listened through it and I had no idea what to think. I was wierded out and confused by the barage of beats, sounds, and distorted vocals. But than on another listen, something clicked. It all come together perfectly. This cd reeks of talent, and this being their debut, music fans need to get in to this band. I don't know much about math rock, but these guys seem ready to reach an Animal Collective level of popular experimental, or even surpass it. I just hope I get the chance to see them live.… Expand
  3. ChrisA.
    Dec 8, 2007
    10
    I was a fan of the record upon my first listen. It's a bit of a mind-f*ck, but also so incredibly (yet strangely) catchy. After seeing them live and realizing that they actually produce the majority of the sounds with actual instruments, it became even better. A highly impressive album that ranks at my #1 of 2007.
  4. JohannT
    May 20, 2007
    10
    Incredible. I used to be a huge fan of Tortoise, Mice Parade, and of all those bands that were labelled as "post-rock". I thought nothing new could show up gave it all up years ago (except for OOIOO). And then, this album showed up. Imaginative, creative, fun and virtuoso, stunningly precise but never boring, and magnified by Animal Collective-like vocals. Absolument parfait.
  5. Tyler
    May 18, 2007
    10
    Album of the year thus far.
  6. alanl
    May 22, 2007
    10
    Mirrored has much to offer, instant classic tunes, complicated beats, bizarres harmonic progressions, wierd synths and much more. This band is the true Zappa/Patton's sequel. So far, the year's best!!!
  7. MattF
    May 23, 2007
    10
    Brilliant. Having got into music from Mali this year, this is like a full circle back to the West. Tracks like Tonto are straight out of africa. Best fun in ages.
  8. PeeStain
    May 25, 2007
    10
    This album makes me feel really weird. I cant stop laughing and my body cant relax. Might be complex and uniqe, I dont now. What I do know is that this is by far the most surprising album I got my hand on in a good while. Put headphones on and go for a jog, it mill fit just fine.
  9. DanW
    Jun 11, 2007
    10
    A very rewarding and amazing album for those who give it a chance. A standout album of 2007.
  10. GrantP
    Jun 3, 2007
    10
    Amazing band, such talent displayed In this album. It's almost hard to find something you don't like about It. Should we expect less from Warp Records? I think not.
  11. JordanK
    Jun 6, 2007
    10
    I don't give too many albums tens. I wasn't sure of this on first listen. But I kept coming back to the tracks I liked. Then I listened again. And again. And again. And again. Until I did about as much looping on my media player than they do in the album. I'm sure this album/genre/band is not for everyone, but there is a fantastic display of musicianship throughout. And I don't give too many albums tens. I wasn't sure of this on first listen. But I kept coming back to the tracks I liked. Then I listened again. And again. And again. And again. Until I did about as much looping on my media player than they do in the album. I'm sure this album/genre/band is not for everyone, but there is a fantastic display of musicianship throughout. And there is so much detail in the production, whether electronic, technical instrumentation, or musicality (tempo changes mostly, but also some dynamic attention). My only advice to the haters is listen more closely. I found my best listen was with noise-cancelling headphones.… Expand
  12. JustinB
    Jun 8, 2007
    10
    It's extraordinary - playful, sinister, exciting and unusual. It obviously won't be everyone's thing but it's far more accessible than you'd think from some of the comments here. And I can't see the point of posting a review after admitting to only listening the record once.
  13. césarb.
    Jul 12, 2007
    10
    the best album of the year, the music of new millenium
  14. JohnP
    Aug 3, 2008
    10
    One of the freshest albums I've heard in a long time.
  15. Ryan
    May 10, 2007
    10
    An instant classic. Definately will end up on many Top 10 best of lists for this year. An incredibly creative record that sounds like nothing you've ever heard. Highly reccommended!
  16. WetpaintPaint
    May 22, 2007
    10
    This is an album for people with ADHD. Its upbeat and excellent. I think it has strands of the future of rock.
  17. MarkusS
    May 23, 2007
    10
    No doubt: the best album so far this year. This band is incredible, has great ideas and rocks like no other band this year will do. This is rockmusic for this century and for the next 100 years. Stunning!!
  18. NicolaB
    May 24, 2007
    10
    It's as groundbreaking as kraftwerk's autobahn, as playful as a Disneyland ride, as powerful as a ten ton hammer right in the face of those who said modern music was dead. All hail the new music. all hail battles.
  19. DavidC
    May 25, 2007
    10
    I'm a frequent visitor to the Metacritic website and have discovered many new favourite bands through reading the reviews posted here, but I've never been so enthused as to post a comment of my own. Until now. 'Mirrored' is the most breathtakingly original album I have heard since Manitoba's 'Up In Flames'. Every track on this incredible record has me I'm a frequent visitor to the Metacritic website and have discovered many new favourite bands through reading the reviews posted here, but I've never been so enthused as to post a comment of my own. Until now. 'Mirrored' is the most breathtakingly original album I have heard since Manitoba's 'Up In Flames'. Every track on this incredible record has me left me gasping in disbelief. To all the cynics who said music had nowhere left to go: I give you Battles!… Expand
  20. IsaacC
    May 25, 2007
    10
    The sort of album that may make Thom Yorke delay the release of the new Radiohead album. Make no mistake this really is one of the pivotal albums in music history.
  21. JohnT
    May 27, 2007
    10
    Maybe the best album of 2007.
  22. AmitS
    Jun 19, 2007
    10
    Rating albums with numbers is fairly arbitary. The 10 does not mean it is perfect but is given to reward a special album. I doubt anyone can accurately describe what this sounds like: but playful, interesting, diverse are all words I could use. Quite simply it sounds like nothing heard before (many would refer to the Animal Collective at this point): and much like Marmite, you like or loathe it.
  23. AJ
    Jun 6, 2007
    10
    A masterpiece. Anyone who doesn't like this album is an idiot, pure and simple. Go listen to Incubus and leave the challenging records for those who can properly gauge them, please.
  24. DaanT
    Jun 6, 2007
    10
    Briljant band. New sounds and its really a unique style. Love the album. Hope the next album is just as good as this one.
  25. GrakG.
    Jul 12, 2007
    10
    This album totally lives up to the hype. It's a fantastic combination of electronica values and rock sounds. Battles are the Aphex Twin of Math Rock.
  26. seand
    Jul 29, 2007
    10
    this album is far from unemotional like most people complain of. tight musicianship and one of the most interesting and addictive albums i have heard in years
  27. JeffW
    Jul 31, 2007
    10
    Please forgive Battles for showing some respect to their audience- I know that's not what we're used to these days. Before you talk any more shit on this go see them perform this album live, and then go think about it.
  28. MattB.
    Sep 12, 2007
    10
    Amazing, utterly complex yet oddly organic, like Black Dice playing math rock in a hippie commune in space...John Stanier is a machine, this record features some of the best drumming I've ever heard, complex and ridiculously tight. And there's some great inventive guitar playing on offer. and Sean W, your comment is utterly hilarious, open your mind sir! This album walks the Amazing, utterly complex yet oddly organic, like Black Dice playing math rock in a hippie commune in space...John Stanier is a machine, this record features some of the best drumming I've ever heard, complex and ridiculously tight. And there's some great inventive guitar playing on offer. and Sean W, your comment is utterly hilarious, open your mind sir! This album walks the line between experimentation and musicality brilliantly, and the album grows with repeat listens, I admired this band before, now I truly LOVE them.… Expand
  29. mattk
    Sep 17, 2007
    10
    i love this album, but Matt B how is this "organic". If anything the lack of "organic" sound is what I love about this album. This is a honed, mechanical album, and all the interlocking pieces that contribute to the complexity of this album make it all the more alien from traditional song writing. Yes, this is math rock, but it is something more at the same time. This is one of those rare i love this album, but Matt B how is this "organic". If anything the lack of "organic" sound is what I love about this album. This is a honed, mechanical album, and all the interlocking pieces that contribute to the complexity of this album make it all the more alien from traditional song writing. Yes, this is math rock, but it is something more at the same time. This is one of those rare super groups that actually delivered on their promise (remember how ldisappointing swan lake was last year?), and probably the best live show I have seen in years.… Expand
  30. JaredSilva
    Sep 18, 2007
    10
    One of the best musical experiences in a long time.
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Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Best Album of 2007
23
#23 Most Discussed Album of 2007
43
#43 Most Shared Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Alternative Press
    90
    At times, the effect is akin to hearing Tortoise and Animal Collective covering the Steve Reich and Devo catalogs in tandem; but such reference points barely do justice to an album that just halfway through 2007, is already topping the year's best-of list in multiple genres. [Jun 2007, p.151]
  2. Observer Music Monthly
    70
    Battles combine the power of hard rock with an experimental aesthetic.
    Read full review
  3. Urb
    90
    Every song on the 52-minute masterpiece builds and bridges until everything self-destructs and the only thing left to do is dance. [May 2007, p.92]
See all critic reviews »