3 out of 5

Produced by: Bob Weston

Label: Box Factory

I have to assume I came to Lynx like many: back-tracking Battles’ guitarist Dave Konopka’s previous work.  And if we continue with the assumptions, that Battles fans are likely instrumental math rock fans – probably some Don Cab in their collections, maybe some post-rock stuff like Tortoise – then it’s pretty safe to say that those in that boat will have a fine listening time with Lynx’s sole release.

Following more on the organic steps of Battles’ La Di Da Di than the rockier, sprawling Don Cab or the electronic-tinged groove of Tortoise, the trio that was this short-lived band deliver a very clean, very paced form of the genre, erring more toward heavy bits than not, but smartly tempering the whole experience with spacious, pluckey valleys between the suddenly aggressive peaks.  The open, bright shot of mountains on the cover and a somewhat laid back vibe to the compositions – the instruments nudging each other along until a sudden bristle and burst before settling back down – further remind of Zach Barocas’ Up On In, and if I’m making a lot of comparisons, well, therein lies the source of our three stars: Lynx never quite make it over the hump of being definitive enough to establish their own style.  Had I caught this release out of the gate, it absolutely would have been a release of note; one to watch to see what the band did next.  Now that we know that part of that “next” was Battles, while it’s certainly an interesting listen as a retrospective comparison, as a standalone, it’s more useful as a breather between more intense experiences.  It’s a disc I put on when looking to, like, lightly rock but not be too distracted.