Bombastic. Energetic. Frenetic. The debut album of the noise-pop duo Sleigh Bells, Treats, is just one of those albums; you'll either love it or hate, and you'll feel strongly either way. It’s just hard to ignore.
Treats is loud, almost-mindless dance music, designed to blow the speakers out. Even if the sound is turned way down, it will feel like it’s blasting. Critics complain about this high-energy, bass-heavy volume, while fans embrace it. Oftentimes, Alexis Krauss's sugary vocals are unintelligible, more of another instrument adding to the sound than a voice speaking words. Derek E. Miller's guitar/beat making skills are, in an overused-but-much-beloved word, awesome. From the opening track, Tell ‘Em, to last not of the closing song, Treats, this album has no-holds-barred.
And, I loved it.