Black Country, New Road made two great records — Ants From Up There is their second.
Opening, appropriately, with “The Intro”, the band from London opens up a genre-defying box of tricks in “Chaos Space Marine” with horns blaring and guitars churning, all angular and math-rock-tinged. The album, on whole, is filled with twists and turns and a breadth of sound that only a seven piece can muster. Witty lyrics, grace, and humor all perfectly in sync. Brilliant.
Just days before Ants From Up There hit the air in February of this year, lead singer and guitarist Isaac Wood announced he was leaving the band, making this their farewell sophomore release in this incarnation. The band plans to continue without Wood, which is hard to hear but I wish them well.
I also recommend a deep dive into their debut For the first time, about which I said, “Clocking in overall at 40 minutes, For the first time has been on extended play since our first date and I see a very bright future ahead. More, please.” Ants From Up There is more.
