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Having been more than impressed by Mouth of the Architect's debut offering, Time & Withering, some 2 years ago, I eagerly received their latest effort, The Ties That Blind. So what has changed? Not much in the way of the sonic abuse, though the band lost a couple of members between then and now. That said, the band's fixation on all things Neurosis is still in full effect, regardless of the press release's assertion that TTTB would be "dispelling the past's Isis and Neurosis comparisons." As fortune would have it, MotA recorded this affair in Seattle in the same building that housed the mighty Mastodon, also unabashed Neurosis fans, and at least once Brent Hines apparently stumbled next door to check out what was going on only to be asked to contribute some vocals. He is credited with vocals on "At Arms Length" and his has to be the highest pitched yelling of the three voices heard.
Overall more Progressive moments are present on this effort and the bass guitar really shines. This is very good stuff in much the same vein as the debut, though slightly less hypnotic and perhaps more epic in nature than last time around (4 songs clock in at over 10 minutes and the other two are over 7). The music still "flows back and forth like a blood-soaked tide waiting to drag you against jagged rocks," but this time if the massive boulders don't crush your skull, the bull sharks lying in wait will feast upon your very soul. Or maybe lampreys will dine upon you from the inside. Thanks again, Translation Loss. Brooding dissonance never sounded so good. Killer.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Baobab |
| 2. No One Wished To Settle Here |
| 3. Carry On |
| 4. Harboring An Apparition |
| 5. At Arms Length |
| 6. Wake Me When It's Over |
: 66.07
| Buy other Mouth Of The Architect albums |
