Liars

They Were Wrong So We Drowned (2004)

Jesse Raub

Rolling Stone gave this album one star. Spin gave it an "F" and called it "unlistenable." Within 11 minutes of listening to this album it was in my Top Ten of 2004, with a chance of being number 1.

On this release, Liars truly push the boundaries of music. Keeping in tradition of "They Threw Us All In a Trench and Built a Monument On Top," the music comes off with a strong dance vibe, only they abandoned the traditional arrangement of bass, guitar, and drums. Instead, they favor heavy guitar samples and minimalistic drums along with an assortment of keyboards tossed in there.

It's almost impossible to describe. What Liars have created is an album that is noisy, gritty, rockin', intricate, sloppy, and makes you want to get up and dance. Not only that, but lyrically this band tops most. From the song Broken Witch:

"I NO LONGER WANT TO BE A MAN.
I WANT TO BE A HORSE.
MEN HAVE SMALL THOUGHTS.
I NEED A TAIL.
GIVE ME A TAIL.
TELL ME A TALE
OF THE CHILDREN THAT STOOD IN THE WAY
OF THE ENDLESS WINTER
OF THE WHITE WITCH WHO'S LONGING TO CRIPPLE IMPALE
I, I AM THE BOY.
SHE, SHE IS THE GIRL.
HE HE IS THE BEAR.
WE WE ARE THE ARMY YOU SEE THROUGH THE RED HAZE OF BLOOD"

The most standout track on the album is "There's Always Room On the Broom." Starting off with the grittiest, grungiest guitar sample, the song plows through 3 minutes and five seconds of the craziest tune. It'll make you squirm, jump, grind, and scream all at the same time.

I guess the best way to sum this album up is that it is the scary as hell to listen to. Honestly, it's frightening how good it is, and frightening how it sounds. This is the soundtrack to the Apocalypse.