Mouth of the Architect The Ties That Blind
Translation Loss Records TL16-2 August 22nd, 2006
By Jason Jordan
The Ties That Blind isnt a far departure from Time & Withering (2004) or Split (2006), for Ohios Mouth of the Architect, though I doubt anyone on this planet thought it would be. In the two years since their fine debut album dropped via Translation Loss, the band lost two members and the tight-knit trio of Lahm (guitars, vocals), Mann (drums, ex-Rune), and Watkins (keyboards, vocals) were forced to carry on. Thankfully, especially since they had already written half of another album when they recorded Time & Withering, MotA recruited Cook (These Arms Are Snakes, ex-Botch) for bass duty and tapped Hinds (Mastodon) for a guest vocal performance.
Now, the verdict regarding the quality of The Ties That Blind is rather predictable its a very good album that doesnt disappoint. However, while eager aficionados know what to expect from Mouth of the Architect (lengthy, sweeping arrangements that move emotionally yet build up and meander unapologetically), I wish they wouldve experimented more often, or forged ahead in some unique way. Instead, contrary to what their latest bio proclaims, their sophomore effort again feels like an understudy to records put out by monumental acts such as Neurosis and Isis, which doesnt diminish the groups efforts tremendously simply because theres a lot to enjoy.
The latter section of Baobab and the emotive tail-end of the 16-minute No One Wished to Settle Here are stunning, and the keys play a major role in drawing out human sentiments during the whole of The Ties That Blind. One can imagine a person in deep contemplation during the course of Carry On before the tempo is jolted and the distortion kicks in, caking Carry On with virtual sludge. The first couple minutes of Harboring an Apparition could double as a passage by Louisville-based, instrumental post-rockers The Photographic, whereas At Arms Length features Hindss (Mastodon) vocal lines riding the waves generated by the powerful Ohioan quartet. Though its the title of the closing number, the phrase Wake Me When Its Over should not escape from your lips when Mouth of the Architect are involved, even in the slightest, because their music is too well-done to warrant anything but admiration.
Still, Im inclined to believe that the reason I was so enthralled with Time & Withering was its relative freshness, although they werent the first band on the block to play this particular style. This years Split with fellow, former Rune dwellers Kenoma fared well, and The Ties That Blind is no different. It wont upend some as their debut did, nor will it impress those who havent liked them up to this point, but it is another worthwhile recording from a band I hope will stick around for a while whether they experiment heavily or not. Each entry in their discography is worth purchasing, and The Galilean Satellites by labelmates Rosetta should be given consideration, too.
8/10
UMs Review Rating Scale
Official Translation Loss Records Website
Translation Loss Records TL16-2 August 22nd, 2006
By Jason Jordan
The Ties That Blind isnt a far departure from Time & Withering (2004) or Split (2006), for Ohios Mouth of the Architect, though I doubt anyone on this planet thought it would be. In the two years since their fine debut album dropped via Translation Loss, the band lost two members and the tight-knit trio of Lahm (guitars, vocals), Mann (drums, ex-Rune), and Watkins (keyboards, vocals) were forced to carry on. Thankfully, especially since they had already written half of another album when they recorded Time & Withering, MotA recruited Cook (These Arms Are Snakes, ex-Botch) for bass duty and tapped Hinds (Mastodon) for a guest vocal performance.
Now, the verdict regarding the quality of The Ties That Blind is rather predictable its a very good album that doesnt disappoint. However, while eager aficionados know what to expect from Mouth of the Architect (lengthy, sweeping arrangements that move emotionally yet build up and meander unapologetically), I wish they wouldve experimented more often, or forged ahead in some unique way. Instead, contrary to what their latest bio proclaims, their sophomore effort again feels like an understudy to records put out by monumental acts such as Neurosis and Isis, which doesnt diminish the groups efforts tremendously simply because theres a lot to enjoy.
The latter section of Baobab and the emotive tail-end of the 16-minute No One Wished to Settle Here are stunning, and the keys play a major role in drawing out human sentiments during the whole of The Ties That Blind. One can imagine a person in deep contemplation during the course of Carry On before the tempo is jolted and the distortion kicks in, caking Carry On with virtual sludge. The first couple minutes of Harboring an Apparition could double as a passage by Louisville-based, instrumental post-rockers The Photographic, whereas At Arms Length features Hindss (Mastodon) vocal lines riding the waves generated by the powerful Ohioan quartet. Though its the title of the closing number, the phrase Wake Me When Its Over should not escape from your lips when Mouth of the Architect are involved, even in the slightest, because their music is too well-done to warrant anything but admiration.
Still, Im inclined to believe that the reason I was so enthralled with Time & Withering was its relative freshness, although they werent the first band on the block to play this particular style. This years Split with fellow, former Rune dwellers Kenoma fared well, and The Ties That Blind is no different. It wont upend some as their debut did, nor will it impress those who havent liked them up to this point, but it is another worthwhile recording from a band I hope will stick around for a while whether they experiment heavily or not. Each entry in their discography is worth purchasing, and The Galilean Satellites by labelmates Rosetta should be given consideration, too.
8/10
UMs Review Rating Scale
Official Translation Loss Records Website
