Stanier's drum setup is defined by both its bright yellow color and its extremely high Zildjian K ride cymbal, arguably the band's most distinctive visual trademarks. He believes the ride cymbal is overused in drumming, so he wanted to make it more of an effort to play it, forcing himself to jump up from his seat to hit it during live performances.
The band released two EPs and a single in 2004, each on a different record label (Cold Sweat, Monitor and Dim Mak); all three releases were packaged together in a reissue on Warp in 2006. With hype built up around their initial EPs and the "Atlas" single (which included a remix by DJ Koze), Battles released their debut album Mirrored via Warp on May 14, 2007 to substantial critical acclaim. "Tonto" was later issued as a single in October, its accompanying video directed by design group United Visual Artists and then soon bundled with an EP that featured remixes by Four Tet and The Field.
Gloss Drop, the band's sophomore album, was released on June 6, 2011 (again on Warp), anchored by singles "Ice Cream" and "My Machines". In lieu of the departed Braxton, several guest vocalists were brought in: Chilean DJ/producer Matias Aguayo on "Ice Cream", British singer/musician Gary Numan on "My Machines", Japanese musician Kazu Makino (of Blonde Redhead) on "Sweetie & Shag", and Japanese vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Yamantaka Eye (of Boredoms) on "Sundome". Like its predecessor the album was met with positive reviews, with many critics praising the guest vocal spots.
A four-part remix album series via Warp entitled Dross Glop arrived in the spring of 2012 (later bundled into a compilation), featuring interpretations of Gloss Drop's tracklist by Gui Boratto, The Field, The Alchemist, Shabazz Palaces, Kode9 (owner of Hyperdub), Silent Servant (of Sandwell District), Kangding Ray, Hans-Joachim Roedelius (as Qluster), Brian DeGraw (of Gang Gang Dance), Hudson Mohawke, Patrick Mahoney & Dennis McNany (also known as Museum of Love), and Yamantaka Eye.
In 2015, following a characteristically extended break of writing and recording, Battles announced their third album entitled La Di Da Di, to be released by Warp on September 18, 2015. They debuted four songs including lead track "The Yabba" on a livestream in August.
Battles' fourth album, Juice B Crypts, was released on October 18, 2019.
Prismism
Battles Lyrics
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But I don't want to talk about it
I'm saying my goodbyes
Though we haven't begun to party
Oh baby, it's all a catastrophe
Oh lover, it's not how it used to be
I'm just a man who's battling with his mind
(I'm just a man who's battling with his mind)
Minds forever changing what you began
Life's a waste of time
It's just a waste of time
Minds forever changing what you began
Battle with your mind
There's magic in my eyes
But I don't want to look into it
There's thunder in the skies and
I'm frightened of what it's doin'
Oh baby, it's all a catastrophe
Oh lover, it's not how it used to be
I'm just a man who's battling with his mind
(I'm just a man who's battling with his mind)
One hundred and eight battles within the mind
Minds forever changing what you began
Life's a waste of time
It's just a waste of time
Minds forever changing what you began
Battle with your mind, ha haa
Oh baby, it's all a catastrophe
Oh lover, it's not how it used to be
I'm just a man who's battling with his mind
(I'm just a man who's battling with his mind)
One hundred and eight battles within the mind
(Within the mind)
Haa
There is somebody out there
Please I want you to help me
The lyrics to Battles's song Prismism explore the internal struggles of a man who is battling with his mind. He has something on his mind that he doesn't want to talk about, and although he's saying goodbye, they haven't even started to party yet. The chorus repeats the phrase "I'm just a man who's battling with his mind" and acknowledges the 108 battles within the mind. The lyrics also touch on the idea of how life can sometimes feel like a waste of time, especially when one's mind is constantly changing, and there's always a battle within oneself.
There's an underlying sense of desperation in the lyrics, especially in the last line where the singer pleads for somebody to help him. This suggests that the internal battle has become too difficult to fight alone, and he needs external support to overcome it. The use of phrases like "magic in my eyes" and "thunder in the skies" creates an almost mystical or otherworldly tone to the song, emphasizing the intensity of the emotions being experienced.
Overall, the song Prismism is a powerful exploration of mental health struggles, and the difficulties of dealing with one's own mind. Through the use of metaphorical language and a sense of urgency, it highlights the importance of reaching out for help and support when needed.
Line by Line Meaning
There's something on my mind
I have something troubling me
But I don't want to talk about it
I don't want to express my fears
I'm saying my goodbyes
I'm preparing to leave despite not having started anything
Though we haven't begun to party
We haven't even started enjoying ourselves
Oh baby, it's all a catastrophe
My situation is disastrous
Oh lover, it's not how it used to be
Things between us have changed
I'm just a man who's battling with his mind
I'm struggling with my thoughts and emotions
(I'm just a man who's battling with his mind)
(I'm just a man fighting against myself)
One hundred and eight battles within the mind
I'm experiencing many internal conflicts
Minds forever changing what you began
Our thoughts are always altering what we set out to do
Life's a waste of time
Life is meaningless
It's just a waste of time
It's pointless
Battle with your mind
Fight against your own thoughts
There's magic in my eyes
I have a certain captivating quality
But I don't want to look into it
But I'm afraid to see what it truly is
There's thunder in the skies and
A sense of danger looms overhead
I'm frightened of what it's doin'
I am scared of what it may cause
(Within the mind)
(Internalized)
Haa
There is somebody out there
I need someone's help
Please I want you to help me
I am begging you for assistance
Lyrics © WARP MUSIC LIMITED
Written by: TYONDAI BRAXTON, DAVID KONOPKA, JOHN D JR STANIER, IAN WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind