Six Gallery - Breakthroughs in Modern Art (2010)

Apparently this album was always in the cards for Ohio's own Six Gallery. A very needed marriage of tap happy guitars, solid rhythm section and emotive style vocals. Their first demo showed a promising band that was just missing a key ingredient, vocals. While on paper this all sounds very run of the mill I can safely say that this was one of the more self-assured releases of 2010. Unfortunately with the departure of their newly acquired vocalist the band is currently in a state of non-existence.

Zefs Chasing Cara - Kneel and you will Lose (2010)

 This clearly shows the focus of one man. Starting out much like its amazing precursor ep (I'm Gowing) this is some sprightly math rock that showcases a true ear for a riff and off color drum lick. But its in the differences that pushes "Kneel and you will Lose" heads over its older brother. The first two songs indeed crib pages out of "I'm Gowing" however electronic and sparse vocals begin shifting into place and a lovely mix of post-rock electronic math is whats is left for the better part of the EP. As always the lo-fi drums are charming and interesting and the guitar remains the showcase. From what I understand he was or is a member of a UK math rock band but the name escapes me. This is unimportant as it is one among my favorite release of this year, dig in.

Kneel and you will Lose

Piglet - Lava Land

In math rock circles Piglets only release "Lava Land" is considered a modern classic. Written about in as many blogs as you could think of it has totally exhausted any insightful added commentary on the currently split up group. no lyrics, no loops and three members might not sound like much but its these minimal elements that make it more special than their myriad contemporaries. Structurally you would be hard pressed to find better with a command of dynamics of any of the new ilk getting passed off as complex math rock. Which seems to be the problem in todays current climate, there always seems to be an element missing. Throughout Lava Land each member is constantly at war with one another for space within the song yet with a cohesion that creates a striking juxtapose. As a hint to their surprising influence our new vanguard of math groups name check Piglet right along side the greats (Don Cab, Volta Do Mar, Pele.....ect.) If you've never heard then please see what the fuss is about.


Piglet - Lava Land

Sajjanu - Pechiku

Already seasoned veterans of the Japanese progressive scene in other groups, Sajjanu carries on ideas and styles frequented by their geographical brethren Ruins.  My previous post on Nuito as well shares many similarities although Nuito are certainly the more grounded rock band if you can even say that.  This is classification wise spazzed out complex jazz-math. An interesting component here is no lead instrument being focused on which makes it that much easier for the songs to breath and shift. This is a sound of a band that is having fun while simultaneously charting time changes and abrupt pauses. Most technical groups are a heavy handed sort and strive for some sort of emotional charge that never comes.  You can tell by the chords chosen that the band is fully aware of this aspect, playful but not twinkly. Songs can run into one another and you cant exactly hold onto a riff without it being torn out from under you. After its over your left impressed yet without an exact memory of parts. This however is never the point of such ventures.
   


PECHIKU!

Laddio Bolocko - The Life and Times of Laddio Bolocko

    Close in sound to groups such as "This Heat" Laddio Bolocko have a more rock forward approach to song structure...at times while in the same instant owing much to past free-jazz heroes. Its truly hard to say from song to song what face these guys put on but they do it all well. This is experimental noise rock if you had to peg it to one area in particular but they do shine in slower outings and drone as well. Math elements poke their head from time to time but mostly in the drumming. It makes sense seeing as Blake Flemming was from Dazzling Killmen (an early math-rock band) he even spent time in Mars Volta.
    This group in my opinion has had a large impact on the experimental rock of our current day. With members from influential bands and also went on from this to form other amazing groups.  Members went on to play in Psychic Paramount and Electric Turn to Me.
     Highly recommended to anyone that claims to enjoy left field rock music.While they are gone I would say after enjoying their collected works here you turn to Psychic Paramount as they remain close to the same style and are an excellent band in their own right. Enjoy.


The Life and Times of Laddio Bolocko

Intronaut - Valley of Smoke (2010)

 If anyone has been following this group they would know that with each album they have improved by leaps and bounds, Valley of Smoke is no exception. This California Prog-metal/ Jazz/Alt/Awesome runs the gamut of metal styles making it all seem so seamless in the process. Songwriting has gotten tighter as well as the drums somehow getting much more complex. What I would have liked to have heard more of was the commanding bass lines that they used on their last excellent release, Prehistoricisms . Other than this small gripe I can honestly say that this (for me) will be one of the top metal releases of the year.





Intronaut - Valley of Smoke (2010)

Fago .Sepia - L'ame Sure Ruse Mal

 Jazz with a restless sense of direction.  These songs all have the distinct feeling of highly orchestrated compositions more so than a lot of their contemporaries. Hailing from France, this foursome do a lot with dynamics and playing off one another.  At times the melodies are yanked straight from a blue note session while in the same breath owing much to more recent post rock/experimental fair. With that being said songs constantly shift moods and feelings with purpose and an excellent sense of timing. Its hard to exactly state what makes this so special but I find myself coming back again and again.






Fago. Sepia - L'ame Sure Ruse Mal

Nuito - Unutella (2008)

 Instrumental 3 piece Japanese Math Rock. tapping, blasting, explosions, noise, breaks, time changes, quick. There is just so much here really. In any one song you could stretch to write 30 songs. Do you have musical ADD like me? well this is your cure. Ideas come fast and never stick around long enough for you to grab on and yet slower passages do abound. This is the sound of a band completely letting loose and having fun. The closest comparisons would be "complex full of phantoms" era Tera Melos but after they pounded 12 red bulls. Cant say enough for those of you that are into this kind of thing. Just incredibly well structured and played with surprises around every corner. yum.

 
Nuito - Unutella (2008)

Rosolina Mar - Before and After Dinner (2006)

Italian 3 piece instrumental rock outfit. Its nice to hear a group cribbing more from classic rock and injecting it with an amazing amount of riff creativity for the style. Whats great about these guys is that the guitarists are not afraid to incorporate solo like riffs into a song either and everything flows from one point to another without question. You'll even catch yourself getting parts locked into your skull. Truthfully there is a little bit of something for everyone in here. Do it for yourself.










Rosolina Mar - Before and After Dinner bandcamp

Maserati - Pyramid of the Sun

Its almost fitting that this Athens, Georgia group has finally created their masterpiece. After Jerry Fuchs tragic death the band decided to finish what they had started. Pyramids of the Sun doesn't exactly find the group mining new territory but laser etching what they have been building for several releases. By this groups standards this is a sprint of a release as far as run time. It plays to the strength of the songs structurally and never becomes stale as a result. You can throw out words like "post-psych" but truthfully this is some driving full on rock. Will be interesting to see what the rest of the group decide.
 
Maserati - Pyramid of the Sun (2010)

Bohren & der Club of Gore

You'd have sworn you've heard these songs somewhere else but your wrong, dead wrong. This German Jazz Troupe is truly what it sounds like to drive for hours at night going anywhere in the best way possible. This group which also has the slightly erroneous tag of "doom jazz" is more ambient jazz than anything else. The melodies are crisp and commanding yet soft and soothing. Its the contradictory elements that seems at constant work. Very awesome.  




Bohren & der Club of Gore - Dolores

Humcrush - Rest at Worlds End

Part of the Rune Grammophone crew this group certainly doesn't pull any punches. Fans of left field Jazz should dig this electro-improv two some. The first track is just killer with horribly complex drums and interjecting keyboard stabs.


Rest at Worlds End 2009 Album


Humcrush - Stream  Video!

Zona Mexicana

 Upstate New York 3 piece. Math rock at its roots with a hardcore spirit. If you want to talk drums, Mr. Wisch is honest to god a contender for Damon Che's well worn crown. Check this EP out and please catch them live....I have a strong feeling like myself that you wont be let down.