Album Review
Cymbals Eat Guitars - Lose
4 StarsTheir most accessible and celebratory record to date.
New York quartet Cymbals Eat Guitars first appeared in early 2009 when they shared their debut album ‘Why There Are Mountains’ for free online. Fast-forward five years and the story is very different, but also very much alike, with the band releasing a long-awaited third album which sees them evolving even as they stay the same.
‘Lose’ is both a tribute to a late friend of frontman Joseph D’Agostino, containing its fair share of darkness, as well as Cymbals Eat Guitars’ most accessible and celebratory record to date. While both ‘Why There Are Mountains’ and its follow-up ‘Lenses Alien’, released in 2011, had one or two pure pop tracks, ‘Lose’ is filled with them, showcasing D’Agostino’s undeniable gift for delicious guitar lines and ear-worm melodies.
The relative straightforwardness of ‘Lose’ and the music-as-your-saviour theme brings to mind that of similarly inclined acts like Japandroids and The Hold Steady. However, Cymbals Eat Guitars’ roots in the indie rock of Dinosaur Jr., Built to Spill et al ensures that the band keeps it close to home throughout the record. At their core, Cymbals Eat Guitars is still the same band as before - just bigger and bolder, more sharpened and focused. And they’re better for it.
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Cymbals Eat Guitars - Pretty Years
3 Stars
The Staten Island band's new full-length is at its best when it doesn’t try so hard to push the boundaries.
2nd September 2016, 9:00am
Cymbals Eat Guitars share ‘4th of July, Philadelphia (SANDY)’ video
Bassy latest track gets a sun-kissed clip.
1st July 2016, 12:00am
Cymbals Eat Guitars confirm UK & European tour dates
Shows arrive on the back of Joseph D’Agostino and co.’s ‘LOSE’ LP.
8th October 2014, 12:00am
Cymbals Eat Guitars unveil new ‘Laramie’ video
Brand new ‘LOSE’ record is out now on Tough Love.
5th September 2014, 12:00am
With Bob Vylan, St Vincent, girl in red, Lizzy McAlpine and more.