All technical and no soul, like a machine working clockwork on your listening tastebuds yet somehow missing the point of music altogether.

Math-rock and post-rock are a well-off couple living quaint lives in the suburban underground of music. They had a child, they named it Battles, and they had a grandchild whom they raised to be like its grandparents. Mirrored is grew up to be very straight-edge, giving up sex for grades. And here is its portfolio: a collection of tracks that are conceptually similar, but wholly different at the same time. In Mirrored you will find tracks that you absolutely love and others that you absolutely hate. There is no in-between. If you do end up finding an in-between, you probably haven't listened to all the tracks. You either get the songs on this album, or you do not. For example, I love Atlas and Tonto, while I always skip through Ddiamond, Snake Hanger and (ugh) Prismism. Okay, so you have heard Prismism, and now you are wondering why I hate it so much. First, I'll let you finish listening to the song... ... ... see? See what makes me so angry? The song ends about 5 minutes too early, while songs that should NOT have dragged on (Tij, how I dislike you)... well, did. The biggest problem with the album is its consistency. By the time you realize that Rainbow is eight minutes, you will most likely skip right through to the track's climax to realize that nothing else this band throws at you could surprise you any longer. Yes, you will become desensitized, and it will not be your fault. Even if you continue to listen post Rainbow, Bad Trails will disappoint in ways too epic to describe.

But, wait! I also have good things to say about the album.
Race:In is the perfect introduction to the rest of the album. It is filled with tension, for you know that the constant symbol-tapping could not go without some pedal pounding for too long. It is also epic, and very well layered. Oh, and it is followed by the most accessible track on the album, Atlas. Atlas is the song you will show all of your friends to get them into the band. Even people who hate anything resembling rock will at least respect how well Atlas lives up to its mythological title. Listen to this record, absolutely. If you can only listen to one track, listen to Atlas. If you have time for a few more, give Tonto, Race:In and Leyendecker a listen (in that order).