The truth about the latest from Amongst Liars

Whoa! The opening track, “Cut It,” caught me off guard! There I was, marauding along in lockstep with a satisfyingly solid verse groove/riff, and then wham! The sneak attack… that upbeat before the one… the uppercut to the chin that you don’t see coming. And with the shift to half-time feel, it’s a long way to the snare. Such a gratifying, gravity-defying jolt. What a knockout rhythm! I grabbed my notepad & took note, because it is noteworthy-good! Amongst Liars’ eponymous debut gets off on the right foot and then keeps going. This album has legs built for stomping on stages, wading through crowds, & climbing charts!

Each song strikes the right balance between catchy & clever to keep things interesting. I could dissect each tune, describing to you the many ways it cruises & bruises the listener with great aplomb, but, suffice it to say, if you like track one, it’s a safe bet that you will like the entirety of this album. And if you do choose to tread down this well-paved path, make sure you reach the final track, “Without Grace,” where you will be rewarded with a dreamy, extended guitar solo that stretches out over a rumbling rhythm section. It’s a fine stroll indeed.

-Mark Grider

Photo on previous page by Duncan Tyler.