"Atlas" by Battles

An early candidate for song of the year, and it comes from this warped New York outfit, the first single off their indie-acclaimed full-length debut, "Mirrored". The term of choice seems to be math-rock, but I hear a rolicking kraut-rock influence in the booming tom-tom rhythms and burping guitar drone, soon enhanced by the utterly infectious robot vocals. "People won't be people when they hear this sound," declares the computer-altered voice (as best as I can make it out; no one can really decipher) and it'll stick in your head for days.

The energy simply catapults from there. The tribal drums tumble forward underneath the squealing guitar mess, only to break down at the three minute point. The second half moans and growns, only to build back into the menacing alien techno assault.

Battles seemed to manage to balance their warm indie receival with a massive hard-on for epic prog grooves and unusual vocal effects. "Atlas" in particular is as well suited for a New Years' party on Saturn as it is for a carnival. It is, however, rather dangerous to blast while driving (see: Most Dangerous Albums to Play While Driving); it sends me into violent spasms and convulsions that some may refer to as "dancing". Personally, I'm just bitter that I missed an opportunity to see `em live earlier this month.