On their third record in almost as many years,
Idles are at their most anarchic, dialing up their comedic edge -- often including cringe-inducing, Police Academy-style sound effects -- and their manic energy. To call
Ultra Mono terrible would be disingenuous, as it is still some of the most vital music being made; however, it does include the first notable misfires from a group who could seemingly do no wrong. Lyrical content aside, the band themselves are either over-committed, as with bassist
Adam Devonshire's increasingly unhinged backing snarls, or underwhelming. Guitarists
Mark Bowen and
Lee Kiernan have few standout moments between them, demoted to creating dissonance or raising the volume, which they admittedly pull off admirably; contrast this to their debut, with tracks such as "1049 Gotho," where
Bowen's searing lead guitar steals the show. It is hard to fault drummer
Jon Beavis, whose consistent thumping has managed to stay fresh over three records. Taken at face value, the elements that make
Idles great are present, including the social commentary, the sense of humor, and the cathartic justified rage, and as such,
Ultra Mono will fit nicely into their live shows, although it's unlikely to produce any highlights.