REVIEW: Mount Pleasant - The Aztecs

8.75 out of 10

Find it here.

If you blink your eyes you may just miss the music scene that is burrowing it's way up from down under. I'll be honest I hadn't heard that much about Mount Pleasant until Jon Lemmon (whom actually has a hand in producing part of this album) spoke of them. But, upon discovering them more, I found it (MP) harder and harder to walk away from.

Mount Pleasant have been around for a little bit now. In-fact, "The Aztecs" is the band's sixth proper release. I believe it to be their most mature/well rounded album (thus far). The album begins with an ominous drone covered by a psychedelic/breezy guitar sound, slowly warped electronics, and what sounds like "CB radio" distorted vocals. This intro serves as a nice appetizer dish for what's about to come (variety). Track two, probably the most downbeat/bleak track of the bunch, utilizes morose found sounds, dreamy reverb-drenched organ tones, and organic beings living, dwelling & growing. Once the vocals kick in you may be reminded of Labradford or one of those "earlier" Kranky artists. Then the squealy-psychedelic guitar comes in (VERY "Psych-y") followed by the (minimal, yet impactful) KICK (1,2,3.........1,2,3--so good), I LOVE this track. From then on Jonathan Philips (MP) dabbles in styles that span (almost) the entire musical globe. Really, most of Mount Pleasant's sound clash in their ideals, but somehow Jonathan Philips (MP) pulls them together and makes it work. His unique "meshing of styles" range from Psychedelic to Slow Core to Indie Pop to Surf Pop to Experimental/Minimal Electro to Post Rock to Ambient music. All polar opposites (for the most part) of each other, but it works--it REALLY WORKS. There should be at least one or two tracks on "The Aztecs" that should appeal to anyone into music. There are so many genres involved how could it not? This album definitely has it's special niche amongst the right pair of headphones (mine).

I have a feeling Kranky and/or Kompakt fans would eat this one up, I also think Animal Collective, Pink Floyd, and/or Wavves fans would like this one. See what I mean by "unique style range"? Mount Pleasant has something for everyone. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Standout Tracks: A Projector Ceremonial Burial (REPEAT THIS ONE), Safer II (so addictive), Florida (so catchy), II Tough II Dance (yummy), II Tough II Cry (oh man, you need to hear this song NOW), Slipped Era II (LOVE the bass/kick in this one), Blitzkrieg Summer, Slipped Era (the prequel may be better than the first one)