Gold Skull – Miniature Tigers Gold Skull – Miniature Tigers (Buy)

“…and the winner of the most polarizing album of the year goes to: “Fortress” by Miniature Tigers!” No doubt that if such an award existed, it would go to Miniature Tigers for their most recent release. After Neon Indian collaborated with the band on the track Gold Skull, you could distinctly hear the electronic influence that I presumed the band was going to explore in depth on Fortress.  Mansion of Misery is a really interesting track that captures your attention immediately. Filled with a mysterious fluctuation of tones and themes, it serves a really strong opening to the album (and the live version of the song is even better).

There is undoubtedly some good on the album. After Gold Skull plays on Track 4, there’s not much positive to speak about. Tropical Birds and Lolita just don’t seem like tracks that were developed or have much of a purpose at all, but rather a conglomeration of sounds stuck together to extend the album into a full-length.

There is no question that Charlie Brand’s lead vocals are the highlight on that track and throughout the album, yet there are a couple times when he appears to sing without conviction. This was a clear example of an LP that should’ve been an EP to save a lot of reviewer’s time and optimism about the growth of the band. Instead, Fortress is in whole very much indicative of its album art; potentially very stimulating until you give it an in-depth look, and then you realize the band has a lot more maturing to do. Miniature Tigers is touring with The Spinto Band and will be at Mercury Lounge in Manhattan on August 13.