Inside the Future
05/26/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love the Eternals. They're a tough band to nail down because they don't really sound like anyone else, and you're left with descriptions like, "Imagine what it might sound like if Scientist dubbed Beans from Anti-Pop Consortium jamming with members of the Clash and the Roots Radics," and you still wouldn't have it quite right. This is music that benefits and blossoms from repeated listenings. Some songs, like "High Anxiety" and especially "Silhouette" are immediately memorable (the latter's been in my head for a week straight!), but every time I come back to this one I find something new to appreciate about it. The same could definitely be said of their self-titled full-length (it came out in 2000, I think), which still sounds fresh and new to me. Two members of the Eternals were from the late, great Chicago band Trenchmouth, who were so far ahead of their time, the world still hasn't caught up to them. The same may be said for The Eternals. Those interested should also check out their vinyl-only EP releases on Thrill Jockey and Aesthetics, as well as their recent "Out of Proportion" CD EP, an import which can be found if you look, which finds them more raw and bass-heavy. A cool, gutsy band."