Liars Mute	Bring on the Comets Astralwerks

Scouting Report: Buoyed by my astonishment that I actually like the National, I’ve decided to test my newfound faith and listen to the latest release from Liars. Yes, Liars, those utterly self-conscious dollar-store art-school dabblers, have, to this point, had the distinction of being my least favorite band of the decade. However, there are a few curious, potentially positive, omens this time around. For one, this release is being hailed by many as their boldest move yet: an actual rock record. But, we’ve been fooled by such proclamations before. Yet, this one is self-titled. Such brevity is a refreshing change of pace, considering previous disasters like We Put Ham Between Two Slices of Bread and Called It a Ham Sandwich. Perhaps a sign that they are outgrowing a career-long dilettante phase? Well, that probably wouldn’t leave them with a whole lot, so one thing at a time.

As for VHS or Beta, they were suggested to me by fellow Lime Wirer Nathan Lovejoy as an apt match-up (i was gonna go with M.I.A.). I know absolutely nothing of their music, but based on name alone, this act seems pandering enough to merit a match-up with Liars, so I'm going with it. This one could get ugly.

First up: Liars

1. Plaster Casts of Everything (3.56) | Benefiting from a very tight strike zone. | BALL, 1-0
2. Houseclouds (3.21) | STRIKE, count evens at 1-1
3. Leather Prowler (4.25) | Maybe this band should stick to the weird atmospherics after all. This would’ve at least been a bunt single if it was about a minute shorter. | BALL, 2-1
4. Sailing to (4.02) | Rhyming “reason” with “treason”, spook-o horror organ and backward drumming pastiches? Focus, lads, focus. | STRIKE, 2-2
5. What Would They Know (3.11) | Best song so far. | HIT, one on
6. Cycle Time (2.16) | BALL, 1-0
7. Freak Out (2.30) | Wow, another one resembling an actual rock song. These cats may be on to something. | HIT, runners on 1^st and 2^nd
8. Pure Unevil (3.52) | STRIKE, 0-1
9. (2.38) | STRIKE, 0-2
10. The Dumb in the Rain (4.21) | Someone’s been listening to Jane From Occupied Europe. A *lot.* | FOULED OFF, count holds 0-2.
11. Protection (4.30) | This is verging towards M83 territory, but screw it, i’m sold. | HIT, one in, inning over.

Well, say hey, Willie, i listened the whole way! I didn’t see this coming for even a minute. Their song-based stuff doesn’t come off sounding like a compromise, and the more abstract tracks, when the group manages to steer clear of excess, are pretty effective. I’m still not convinced this is a band you should be listening to without heaps of cocaine and your most strategically-disheveled-looking friends who don’t actually like you. Still, sure beats “freak-folk.” For Liars, 1 run on 3 hits, none left.

Next Up: Bring on the Comets

1. Euglama (1.08) | An 80s sports-highlight music bed inspired snippet. This must be this album’s “National Anthem.” Let’s play ball, boys.
2. Love in My Pocket (3.13) | STEEEERIKE, 0-1
3. She Says (3.31) | STRIKE, 0-2
4. Can’t Believe a Single Word (3.43) | More tuneful that the others - in that it has one to speak of - but this thing has clearly been ProTooled and market-tested within an inch of its life. | FOULED OFF, count holds 0-2
5. Burn It All Down (3.37) | Okay, this just flat-out sucks. | STRIKE 3, out.

Calculated, 80s-themed rock product for the sort of person that looks forward to a sequel to the Dodgeball movie. Safe bet at least one of these douchebags has a Burt Reynolds mustache, if there’s more than one person in this act in the first place. For VHS or Beta, no runs, no hits, 7 left on, one foam middle finger.

Your final today: Liars 1, VHS or Beta 0. Stay tuned for more Indie Rock Baseball.