If Liars are, “…interested in the alternate spaces people create in order to maintain identity in a city like L.A. Environments where outcasts and loners celebrate a skewered relationship to society,” then Proud Evolution marks the point where a dysfunctional relationship with society becomes pathological. Amidst the extended (and demented) periods of ambient wastelands, inhabited with single repetitive notes, mumbled vocals and discordant clatters, is the place where loneliness and marginalisation become obsessive and murderous.
Warning, this music is not good for your state of mind, but, it is a fascinating, deeply atmospheric experience that for the duration of listening will alter the way you feel about everything and everyone around you. On the title track this manifests itself as something vaguely euphoric, with high notes that fit Blade Runner’s dystopic cityscapes, driving drums, and a vocal line reminiscent of some of Radiohead’s dancier stuff. It is fitting that Proud Evolution comes Siamese-twinned with a typically schizophrenic Thom Yorke Remix.
It is after this that the EP goes into a metaphorical black hole, and becomes something supreme. Both beautiful, and beautifully bleak, ‘Come Now’ is the EP’s high point. With a brilliant arpeggio bass line and falsetto singing it is a wonderfully hushed track, fit for a church descending into anarchy.
Caught by their fascination with the fringes of society, Liars have placed themselves on the fringes of popular music, and turned their position into something truly exciting. They have seamlessly translated these “skewered relationships” into something musically visceral and devastating. A proud evolution indeed!
Release Date 08/11/2010 (Mute Records)
I started out writing for the Manchester Evening News as a freelance journalist back in 2008. The idea that I would be given free access to music and gigs seemed somehow miraculous to me, and I proceeded to take full advantage of the situation. When the M.E.N. decided to constrict its coverage to only the very biggest bands, Simon Poole approached me with a plan to make sure that all the very talented musicians of this world that pass through and/or live in Manchester would not go unnoticed. As the New Releases editor here at Silent Radio Towers, it remains my proud duty to cast a critical eye over the music and reviews that come my way in a manner that is both supportive and fair. Above all, I strive to write as entertainingly possible. Favourite musicians include the Pixies, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Mercury Rev, Os Mutantes, The Knife, Beach House etc etc. I'm a firm believer that all genres (except nu-metal) contain music of great quality...
