Mirrors

The best music reflects a wide-screen view of the world back at us, helping distill the universal into something far more personal. Since forming in Austin in 2004, The Black Angels have become standard-bearers for modern psych-rock that does exactly that, which is one of many reasons why the group’s new album, Wilderness of Mirrors, feels so aptly named.

With an unusual amount of time on his hands during a year of lockdown, saxophonist/composer Steve Cole found himself pondering the difference between our authentic selves and the illusions we project to others. On his new album, Smoke and Mirrors, Cole offers up an intimately personal reflection of his own true self, free of trickery or sleight of hand.

Joe Perry returned to the fold in 1985, and Aerosmith turned out their finest record since Rocks. Unlike the records that preceded it, Done with Mirrors is powered by the same smart-assed lyrics and filthy guitars that formed the core of Aerosmith's best songs…

When you press play on the debut album by Mirrors and the first track Fear Of Drowning begins, you could be mistaken for thinking it was an electro/synth version of Baba O'Reilly. Wouldn't that be weird. However, it isn't. In fact Mirrors couldn't sound less like the Who if they tried. Thank God, that would be rather turgid. They do however sound like loads of synth pop groups before them, with tracks as synthetic as Lady GaGa's wardrobe. Also, the first track is bloody long, over 6 minutes!