As with every BTS album I have ever bought, upon first listen, I say "meh, it's not that great" and then about 5 listens later I am obsessed with the album and can't quit playing it. Such as the case with There Is No Enemy. I have not given the full five listens yet, but I am already just loving the new album from this indie prog rock band from Boise, ID. Oddly enough, this album has turned out to be one of the most accessible if not the MOST accessible BTS album I've bought. The songs are shorter on this album. I think all are 6 minutes or less. And I will admit there is a little pop lilt going on here to. There's also a real live melancholy here that kind of 'ghosts' around on the other albums. BTS can sometimes be maudlin in an oddly sarcastic way. I think that is front man Doug Martsch's M.O. anyway. It feels quite a bit like You In Reverse.
There Is No Enemy feels like it could easily be at home with adult alternative or indie record listeners. On the song Life's A Dream it sounds like maybe they've been listening to Pet Sounds Beach Boys before breaking into a sort of protracted Pink Floyd guitar riff. The opening song Aisle 13 is classic BTS opening song. Always a nice ambient rocker to get your attention without rattling your teeth.
I always am amazed at how literate Doug Martsch is anyway. And not just literate for writing sake, but the music is literate too. I guess I always go back to saying this is modern prog rock. Something I have always liked probably for that reason. As always the guitar playing is muscular and wiry. Whether it's the poetry of the words or the complex musicianship BTS is such a fine sounding band that never sounds old. They keep getting better.
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