Cymbals Eat Guitars – Rifle Eyesight (Proper Name)

I knew Joseph D’Agostino pretty well (in as much as you can know someone on the internet) before his band Cymbals Eat Guitars made it big (in as much as these things get big for bands of Cymbals Eats Guitars ilk). Once Pitchfork et al came a knocking our gmail chat exchanges became less frequent but that was totally understandable. Joe is a sweet fellow with a genuine gift for songwriting. I remember one pleasant exchange where we played his band’s entire debut ‘Why There Are Mountains’, while all the while he prompted me for my reaction and on receiving it he would whoop with joy. We even discussed releasing the album on Indiecater for free but only got as far as putting an early version of ‘Share’ on our label’s first compilation (which was made up entirely of unreleased tracks from relatively unknown bands at the time). ‘Why There Are Mountains’ really struck a chord with me, not only was it blessed with elaborate tunes that regularly, and dramatically, turned themselves inside out but it also smelt of early 90’s indie (the sort I am mostly still in love with). That was 2009 and Cymbals Eat Guitars are gearing up for the follow-up, ‘Lenses Alien’, this September. ‘Rifle Eyesight (Proper Name)’ is the promo track and is as ambitious as what has proceeded it, probably more so. It screams Sonic Youth but not in a way that makes them slightly off-putting. Yes, there is rampant experimentation but it is clipped with enough rounded moments to make it entirely palatable. This is a great band for our times, no doubt. KD

Cymbals Eat Guitars – Rifle Eyesight (Proper Name)

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Cymbals Eat Guitars
Year: 2011