Review: Babel Map ‘Teeth’
Hailing from Harrisburg in Pennsylvania, it’s hard to believe that for a band who have been active since before 2010, they are only now releasing their third album. After multiple lineup changes, and riding the wave of musical obscurity, they are now emerging with Teeth, which sees them at their most complete.
Following on from 2022s Cancel This! the band have evolved again, with a partial lineup change, to now be reborn as the four piece entity of Jessica Drummer, Steph Werner, Michael James Stipe and Brian Doherty.
While this new rebirthing has somewhat changed the dynamic, they have propelled themselves forward musically, and with Teeth they’ve created something which is both magical and mystical. It’s a heady mix of goth, post-punk, and gloom gaze, which, if you are unaware of Babel Map and are looking for something a little darker in life, will be like an explosion for the senses.
This latest opus is essentially eleven misery-drenched and tear-stained odes to inner turmoil. Quite the paradox really, considering that the music is quite upbeat at times and even somewhat ‘joyful’. Teeth will keep you thoroughly engaged for almost an hour, if you let them, and as one track beautifully merges into the next, it all flows effortlessly.
Opening with Bubble Tape, they waste no time in reaching out and pulling the listener in. Its somewhat soft and airy atmosphere conjures up a sense of weightlessness. The gentle eloquent vocal seems to drape itself over the stripped-back shoegaze backdrop, before lifting off into a more vibrant flourish of energy. At times it feels like it could have come straight from the ‘80s, such is the lavish production on it all. Soaring guitar woven into the very core of the track provides a deeper feeling of sadness, but this is in no way overplayed, and as it drops off again, the gentler side of the band reappears. As openers go, this one is sublime and really sets the mood and tone for the whole experience.
With track two, Nosebleed, things take a turn and a darker side to the band emerges, along with a heavier electronic input. Equally as dynamic as track one, this time it’s more pensive, and the overall feel is gloomier.
eleven misery-drenched and tear-stained odes to inner turmoil…
Pazuzu, track three, is one of the highlights of the whole experience for me, where after a stripped back introduction, things really take flight. A generous dose of upbeat and ethereal goodness sets the pace, and as the track progresses, so too does the bands confidence. By the time it hits its full stride, the band are absolutely soaring and it’s here where I see the true wonder of Babel Map shine through. Pounding drums and soaring guitars just carry the piece away.
Over the course of the next few tracks, they really expose themselves to us musically, and in particular on How How Why?, Teething, and Idiot, the true power of the four-piece shines through. A cacophony of moody soundscapes, which are both mysterious and emotive provide the perfect foundations for the dreamy vocals to work their magic. The eloquence of the subtle tones atop the captivating sonic drones is simply beautiful.
On Doctor, track nine, things get kinda spooky where the guitar seems to take centre stage. The soaring solo is particularly engaging and powerful and for me it’s a real highlight for the piece, if not for the whole album, as it sets its near five-minute runtime off perfectly.
With Not This Time the band seem to go off on a post-rock tangent, and while it is a new side, it is in no way an unwelcome one. This track shows the band’s versatility and capability to shake things up when necessary. A pensive and somewhat held back opening minute or so makes way for a darker dynamic, where those guitars remerge to darken the mood. At its pinnacle, it is divine, not too abrasive, and the intensity the guitar provides against the lush pounding backdrop is inspired.
Anubis closes the album, with a slower, darker tone. The perfect swansong for the album, this time round the joy has been replaced with a sadder feel and as it plays through, it is somewhat more morose. That being said, it isn’t all doom and gloom, it’s still spellbinding and as it drops away, so too does the feeling of sadness. A fitting end to the opus for sure.
Coming away from the album, it’s hard to really describe any other band to compare Babel Map to, they are pretty much their own thing, and that’s incredible. It has a real retro sound, but at the same time, will give a younger audience something they can call their own, something legitimate, and in no way gimmicky. It’s an absolute win, and as 2024 draws to a close, this could well be the last flourish of something wonderous to see the year out with.
Label: Lost Future Records
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram
Scribed by: Lee Beamish
