LIZZARD
Eroded
Progressive French three-piece lose their bearings
PELAGIC
Eroded has a serious case of stylistic dissonance. The fourth album by these French progressives can’t decide whether it wants to be a collection of stretched-out avant-garde movements or of hyper-catchy yet techy anthems. First track proper – and runaway highlight – Blowdown implies the latter, innovatively condensing wonky guitar tapping into a garage rock backbone with a gigantic chorus. Yet none of the other songs recapture that track’s tightness and vigour, slowing the pace with lucid post-rock textures. Haywire and The Decline try to build exciting refrains on this model but fall flat, although there is still some value in the ascending riffs of Blue Moon and Avalanche. If you’re after unconventional rock earworms, you’re better off sticking with Sumer or Marriages.