Iran

Those who fell in love with the gnarled, messy production that typified Iran's first two records might find the Brooklyn-group's latest instalment somewhat jarring. The trio, masterminded by Aaron Aites, with the help of Aaron Romanello and TV on the Radio's Kyp Malone, shook off their collective agoraphobia and got hi-fi, recording Dissolver in an actual studio. Of course, in the world of bedroom recording, hi-fi is a relative term and most likely the only genre where a few backing vocals and guitar over-dubs are seen as a repudiation of your roots. Dissolver comes across less a Chinese Democracy cluster fuck and more Sebadoh channelling Phil Spector. Regardless of personal recording aesthetic beliefs the songs are what will make or break this album and Iran have them is spades. That any of the record's ten tracks could be played on an acoustic guitar smears Aites's image as a purveyor of experimental noise and exposes his inner pop songwriter. But the group's insistence on soaking would-be pop singles like the beautiful "Airport" in feedback and aural dissonance is what separates them from the pack and keeps listeners returning for more.