Sending this one out to all the ex-American Apparel models and layered hoodie/leather jacket bros in the back; this album cover says pretty much all you need to know about 2008. This hotly anticipated debut from the duo of Ethan Kath and Alice Glass was a hodgepodge of blog-tested favorites like their remix of HEALTHs Crimewave, the perverse Italo of Air War and the alleged happy accident Alice Practice, alongside a gang of new joints that have since become certified skinny jeans classics: post-electroclash singalong Courtship Dating, the BOC-on-PCP stylings of Magic Spells and the unsettling intro track Untrust Us. But in retrospect, its the albums lesser-played fourth side that has aged the finest: Through The Hosiery, Reckless, Black Panther, and the tender slowcore of Tell Me What To Swallow. TBH, I traded my original copy of this record, but I might fuck around and buy it again. 16 tracks altogether on double vinyl released byLast Gang; this hasnt been available in a minute so get it while you can. Recommended.

• black double vinyl pressing
• original release year: 2008
• music label: Last Gang Records 2023

reviewed by military 2step 09/2018