I've long held a fascination with Liars. One which is continually difficult to pinpoint as they do perversely keep doing a volte-face with each successive album release. I think what I like is the utter lack of genre and seemingly 'outsider' feel the trio bring to their music. And whilst occasionally there are notes to draw some reference from more often than not they conjure up something bewilderingly out of step with the musical times that simultaneously manages to remind you of all sorts of great bits from bands and artists you should listen too more.
So it is with Sisterworld their fifth album except the things I find myself referencing most is Liars own wide reaching discography. Not that they're repeating themselves God forbid! Sisterworld most definitely occupies its own space - a sullen, mysterious place evoked from the very first haunting wails of opening song Scissor. A disturbed tale of attempted suicide or murder where the victim is still barely alive. And it just gets creepier, laden with portent and puckered in the seedier side of life (ie better) from here on in.
They've ditched the regained joy of guitars from Liars and returned to something akin to the experimentation of They Were Wrong So We Drowned whilst holding onto melody and a recognisable song format (without being predictable). Just to get everything in the mix they still contain the odd thrill which made Drum's Not Dead such a fantastic record and the sparse rhythms which peppered They Threw Us All In A Trench...
You see. Self reference has never been such a rewarding experience. I'd argue til I'm blue in the face that Sisterworld is their best album to date but then tomorrow that would change and I'd be forced to choose another of their albums for this honour.
How great it must be to have raised the bar so high and still manage to hurdle it each time. Sister they're on fire, sister!
www.liarsliarsliars.com
www.thesisterworld.com
www.mekongdelta.co.uk
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