For some odd reason i really wanted to not like this album. I like the Black Angels… Alot, but they have been straying into areas that I felt were neglecting a bit of their past and what made them so great. Early singles from this release seemed to indicate that this record was heading more into the territory of Alex Mass Solo efforts. But at its best this album represents the best of The Black Angels while at the same time exploring some of the new ground although not always to successful results.. The best tracks on Wilderness Of Mirrors harken back to the classics. But having said that, this should have been a single album. I get it, a lot of music backed up over the pandemic but that doesn’t mean it all has to be released.
The album starts of really strong with the first five tracks or so featuring a lot of that deep grungy sounding distorted bass ala “Black Grease”. The opening track “Without a Trace” fits right in with the classics. Closing out the front 4 is the track “El Jardin” which i originally was not a fan of but it’s defiantly grown on me. From here the record trends into mediocrity. Track 14 “Icon” would have fit better and faired better had it been placed in the first half of the LP. Also tucked into the back half of the album is “The River” and the title track which are also solid listens. Overall its a decent release that I think drags on a bit too long. I’ll be checking them out in person along with the Vacant Lots in a couple days so I am quite excited for the show.
Available everywhere. Released by Partisan Records.
