13.0.0.0.0
Henry Tremain's higher voice gives 13.0.0.0.0 an identity of its own. TTNG's guitars and drums still trace complicated patterns, but the singing more often finds a clear melody within them. The record feels familiar and different from Animals at the same time. It depends less on an immediate burst of energy and more on small movements that take time to settle into place.
"Cat Fantastic" makes that clear. Beneath the busy playing is a hook that gradually becomes easier to follow. The song asks for attention, but has enough melody to reward it. On "Left Aligned", the contrast between full and empty passages is more interesting than the number of notes. Rippling guitar parts give way to quieter sections, making the return to busier playing mean more. Tremain moves smoothly through those changes.
The shorter pieces help, too. "2 Birds, 1 Stone and an Empty Stomach" uses acoustic guitar to slow the album down for a moment. It provides a useful break from all the activity. The quiet final passage of "I'll Take the Minute Snake" achieves a similar effect within a longer song. TTNG show that they can hold attention with less movement as well.
That does not make everything equally sharp. Some guitar figures continue for so long that the songs lose direction. The drums change frequently, but more movement does not automatically bring more tension. A few passages therefore blur together. Even so, the stronger emphasis on melody is a good decision. The balance between short resting points and longer songs gives the record a workable shape. 13.0.0.0.0 rewards anyone willing to let the activity settle and follow the quieter line underneath.
