Sometimes the only way to understand or even hope to enjoy a record is to just ride it out from one end of the line to the other and see where it goes, and then take stock of how you feel about it and what you got from it – if anything. More than most bands, such a passive listening practice has proven to be the best way to approach working though any album by Liars; since the band began making music in 2001, they've either disregarded or defied every rule book that has ever been placed before them as well as any label that anyone has ever used to categorize their music. WIXIW (pronounced 'Wish You,' according to the band) – Liars' sixth album – is no different in that it employs the same manner and is completely different from anything else the band has done before again.
Even though history has historically meant nothing when it comes to trying to guess what might be coming next from Liars, WIXIW will still leave listeners – both long-time fans and the uninitiated alike – stunned, staring and silent as they try to decide what's unfolding before them. In a chilly, reasonably unadorned space, electronic skitters and clicks of a sort that most would expect Matmos to make begin to organize beginning on “The Exact Color Of Doubt,” It's a disconcerting experience, but it only gets weirder as singer/guitarist Angus Andrew begins moaning and mumbling with a melodic sense which could only be called melodic at best. The effect of “The Exact Color Of Doubt” is both hypnotizing and attractive in a strange way, but even stranger is the fact that it both does and does not make sense; while Sisterworld definitely saw Liars working toward a melodic approach similar to this in 2010, this sound is colder, more impersonal and perfectly unlike what anyone would expect from this band.
WIXIW never really leaves the chilly, dark and at least occasionally aquatic-sounding confines expressed by “The Exact Color Of Doubt” during this run-time, but Liars do successfully introduce some interesting ideas and images into the paradigm that the opening track sets. On the succeeding song, “Octagon,” Andrew's vocals spontaneously get much more intelligible and, given the dynamic of the record, that feels like a tremendous leap forward – even if there's no possible way to know what he's talking about. Things get even more delightfully bizarre as instruments start spontaneously bending (not wobbling) on their pitch through the title track and “His And Mine Sensations.” Without question though, the most delightful reward comes in “A Ring On Every Finger,” where the band seems intent on developing a new permutation of dance punk which will appeal to junkies and people addicted to downers.
As is always the case with Liars' albums, each of the ideas (those overtly mentioned – digging deeply into the songs could take years and the discoveries may still be incorrect) expressed on WIXIW are marvelous, bizarre and marvelously bizarre ideas to listen to, but (as usual) there is no impression left that the band will explore any of them further on future releases or simply chuck them all and start fresh again when they decide to record another album. Some might call that frustrating, but those in for the experience will be fascinated (as always) and have their sensibilities handsomely rewarded; WIXIW is an excellent trifle that no one could have expected, but those of a right mind will certainly enjoy.
Artist:
www.liarsliarsliars.com/
www.myspace.com/liarsliarsliars
www.facebook.com/LiarsOfficial
Album:
WIXIW is out now. Buy it here on Amazon .
