Drum's Not Dead

A concept album based on fictional characters named Mt. Heart Attack and Drum, this mesmerizing record is the result of the art-rock ensemble Liars, formerly of Brooklyn, taking up residence in Berlin after the release of the critically divisive THEY WERE WRONG, SO WE DROWNED. Although DRUM'S NOT DEAD does rely heavily on pummeling percussion and chanted vocals, the undoubtedly challenging outing is quite nuanced and dynamic, with many of the Mt. Heart Attack tracks (particularly "Let's Not Wrestle Mt. Heart Attack") conveying a compulsive energy, and the Drum-related compositions (see the droning "Hold You, Drum") conjuring up a meditative dreaminess. The CD is accompanied by a DVD that presents three short films (two of which are directed by band members), each one following the arc of this fascinatingly strange excursion.