Kinder - Archipielago (2012)

Last time on PLENTY OF SWORDS!


Hopefully this is a refresher for those reading and not the first encounter with these guys. Stripped of a lot of the more electronic elements, kinder rises above into a true math rock force of (positive) doom. They were headed in that direction before but its nice to see a band playing to their strength's. Keeping the keyboard was certainly a great idea for sure as well. Influences as per usually can be pointed to but its best just to enjoy this release on its own merits because they do cover a fair bit of ground. Both releases from these guys are excellent though so dont miss out!

Archipielago

Mental Architects - Celebrations (2012)

Trio from Bulgaria, jagged guitar lines, tight drumming and fat growling bass lines with some nice production values to give the heavy parts some real thump courtesy of Aaron Harris, drummer of Isis who produced and mixed the album. Celebrations is a nice mix of instrumental math rock and heavy post rock with plenty of dynamics, heavy grooves, and tricky rhythms to keep you engaged throughout. Think And So I Watch You From Afar (hereon out known as ASIWYFA), Maserati, Maybeshewill, BATS, etc. 

I also threw in their prior EP, Patience, Communication, Understanding, Go, mixed and mastered by another great drummer, Chris Common of These Arms Are Snakes. Check this!

BANDCAMP
DNLD

Sorne - "House of Stone" (2011)

Sorne is a laptop/vocals/percussion artist from Austin and gives me some mixed feelings.  I'm generally not a huge fan of bands that rely on laptops instead of guitars etc..  And at first listen Sorne sounded pretty identical to the hoards of pretentious 20-something white dudes with weird haircuts and laptops that have emerged in the last few years. 

BUT after listening to this album a few times, it turns out that the songwriting is pretty darn good.  Shamanistic vocals snake through complex rhythms and odd time signatures, while backing vocals soar and pounding drums and electronics drive through tribal rhythms.  The overall effect is mystical and a little unsettling, but absolutely memorable.

The album is long.  It gets off to a slow start, and there are some dull moments.  But when things pick up, Sorne is totally satisfying, evoking Dirty Projectors / Bjork / Sting at his most tribal. 

Sorne tours as a 3-piece (vocals/laptop and two fantastic drummers).  The 6-7 awesome songs on House of Stone plus their live show cements them as an act to keep your eye on, in my book. 

House of Stone is available on Sorne's BANDCAMP fo' $free.99.