Bandcamp Weekly 9/26-10/7

Dark voice of Angelique – Belloid (Russia)

An industrial alt noise outing that plays it pretty middle of the road and drags songs out beyond the dred 10 min mark. (46%)

Say I am – Shades (Revisited) (Ohio)

I think the singing really elevates this above the inoffensive emo alt acoustic rock. Again.. there isn't much to see but its a well produced EP and I could see this becoming something a bit larger on a full length. (64%)

A Fine Line - Between the Here and Now (Florida)

This djent lite outing pours a healthy dose of Florida metal over this release. 

I can appreciate that some different sounds are toyed with but none are explored to a level that feels real or terribly interesting for that matter. (51%)

Nevraska - Grave Romance (France)

Prog metal.. have you heard of it? yea? Ok then here some more. (55%)

Jack Tickler (South Southerston)

If you don't try...I wont either. (Hamburger%)

Derek Gaines - Nobody Likes Me (California)

Ambient music always walks a tight rope with me. Is it engaging enough? Is their enough distinction between songs? Are the sounds used in a way that can illicit different feeling?. This to me is on the cusp of truly something great but seems to be lacking a bit in structural movement (69%)

Scaria - Demo (Italy)

I believe its pronounced "Scary" like.. this demo is scary bland. (49%)

Fotograms - Demo (Argentina)

Some cookie cutter emo math that occasionally throws in a cool riff or two. Thankfully the music shifts often and if something doesn't hit you are onto the next idea soon enough. I do think a more focused and fleshed out release will see some much better results. (68%)

Action Beat - The Condition (UK)

Improv. based noise rock that I believe would benefit from some more structured sounds. 

Still I..sort of liked this? I'm not sure jury is still out. (50%)

Lite / Mouse on the Keys - Split EP (Japan)

Its not that this isn't a solid 2 songs from Lite but the first just doesn't have the excitement or restless nature im used to with them and the other is a very capable cover of a mouse on the keys song.. so yay? (65%)

Median - Let's Leave it at This. (Washington)

Mixed too low sadly and hard to make some things out. Drums never seem to want to break from the comfort pocket which is a shame because the guitar appears to be doing some decently interesting things. I would say this needs some further attention and honing before attempting another emo indie hybrid. (59%)

I Like My Trike - Implications (Utah)

Indie rock that borders on lite rock AM radio conventions. Im not catching much of a prog or experimental vibe but it does straddle a shifting goofy / serious lyrical content that just doesn't seem to jive. (57%)

Luna the Wolf - Parties Where I Don't Know Anyone (California)

Everyone's favorite shoe gaze furry is back for another round this week and it unfortunately doesn't hit on the same nostalgic wistful vibes the last release did. Still well done, put together and largely keeping the same elements. There is just a lack of something tangible to hold to this time around. (60%)

Ian, The Ostrich - What Ever Answer You Give Me, I'll Be Happy (Florida)

I enjoyed the first song a lot. Wasn't expecting a nice big sounding lo-fi closer with percussion. 

Unfortunately the next few times the same technique is used its not nearly as deftly executed. The solo guitar songs are also a bit plodding. Not sure where the math rock comes in but its not here. I will say that the closer shocked the junk out of me with the electro bit and almost saved this for me..almost. (60%)

Affogato - Finally (Minnesota)  

For a live recording this sounds pretty sensational. 

I want to like this a lot more than I currently do also because it does a lot of things correct..solid rhythm section being chief. I think instrumentally as a whole it works.. sometimes. Its got some nice meandering dual guitars but they dont carry the melody enough to be the focal point. The vocals are hot and cold.. particularly cold the first few songs of this album. It may seem a bit harsh but I truly enjoyed this album and is an impressive first effort. (71%)

Atiptoe - +Venture (UK)

A safe, tucked in to the bed release for UK vets Atiptoe. 

Having followed them since their first release in 2012 its hard for me really grasp on to much musical progression here. Sort of like if Minus the Bear went to the dentist to get teeth pulled. I will say I like the song "Ambushed by Sleep" its unfortunately not enough to wake me from this nap attack. 

(61%)

The Goat Wizard - The Anthromancer (Wisconsin)

decent enough indie math with some flair.. not sure if I can make a total judgement call on the strength of one song however.

Daughtershouldanamedher - Daughtershouldanamedher (Alaska)
Spacey psych rock with progressive noodles can and frequently does work but I think things are mixed a bit odd and im not totally understanding how things are fitting together. On the other side of this coin it is more likely that things are just sort of thrown onto the wall. This has some promise but I promise its not here yet. (57%)

Sorceress of the Crystal Tower - Hellward Bound (North Carolina)
Slow moving improv. synth rock that toys with prog. A bit too ambient and drone centric for my blood but I think if the drums were a bit more interesting it might tie things in a bit better.
(52%)

Arden Klawitter + the Powerclaps (California)
A bass led prog pop group with some singer songwriter vibes? the music is cohesive and sticks to the formula it has built and sounds pretty great for it. Some songs out stay their welcome a bit too long and there isn't a lot of dynamic changes in the songs that you might expect with the prog piece. Interesting and may have to scope out some prior albums for more context. (72%)

Protest the Hero - Harbinger (Canada)
Its been many years since ive listened to these guys and few things have changed. Trying blessedly hard to straddle the line between pop, post-hardcore, metal, prog and succeeding on none of those. This one track was enough to keep me at arms length for at least a few more years. (51%)

El Toro Fuerte - Um Tempo Lindo Para Estar Vivo (Brazil)
Three piece from Brazil that is doing some sort of avant math pop maybe? I dont know was a bit hard to trudge through.. straight in the middle pretty indifferent and there for (50%)

Noah Tretter - Compositions (California)
Math? no... piano pieces that are mixed too low. Hard to discern if there was anything truly gripping about them and just left me feeling like I had listened to nothing (48%)

Sad - Everything in the World is Enough (NY)
That first riff in song 1 is pretty killer and then.. the vocals come floating in? damn.. buzz kill.
I like the sound, I do, I think its interesting to have a power pop bent with some prog lite elements. I do think if it were less vocally focused I would have placed this a bit higher this week.
(61%)

OroborO - More Demo's (Massachusetts)
If you are interested in my past thoughts on these cats last demo...head over here. First the bad news.. they re-used their last demo cover. Now for the great news! This again is largely some incredibly well thought out, interesting and exciting math rock by way of instrumental post rock. Their is always an emphasis on strong structural progression in their songs and heavy riffs that dance about. Surprises abound!
(85%)




Another Michael - Sans (Albany NY)
Now to be fair.. the label was marked as math.. not this artist from upstate NY. This however.. is just too good to not give mention to. Acoustic indie folk that doesn't take itself to seriously but gives enough room for touching lyrical breaks, interesting chord choices and a seriously captivating vocal approach. Yes it is lo-fi but its supposed to be and honestly it works out well for these songs. Another classic example of too few songs.. I require more and quickly. (84%)

Kinder - Micrograciones (Peru)
I covered Kinder's 2010 effort about 4 years ago and we have had one release in 2012 that proceeds it. This group has always been exciting in the way it adds electronic/keyboard elements into their brand of math rock in a very organic way that many bands try and fail to do. They are most comfortable when the songs a rocking a bit more and on slower tracks its hard to stay in the zone with them. I will say the addition of vocals and great Still an incredibly consistent record that should put them in must watch territory.
(80%)

Tim Avery Benefit Compilation  LRS Records (Rochester NY)
Upstate NY (right next door) comp put together to raise funds for a member of the scene that has stage 3 cancer. Cant think of a better release to throw some dollars at truly. Plus Syracuse post-hardcore math magicians are here with a track..always a good time. (100%)

Sad Turtle - Ruthless and Toothless (Vermont)

Well thought out instrumental mid tempo instrumental post-rock is the name of the game here. So what is so special? Well I think the keys really add a lot to the proceedings helping flesh out a lot of slower paced songs with color and setting mood. The guitar as well tends to air on the side of melody when laying things out and you will occasionally get a few lodged deep in your skull as was my instance. I always enjoy when jazz conventions are used here too but an oft underestimated glimpse of funk also creeps out too, which adds a lot. 

(82%)

The Central - Discovery of a Rat (Wisconsin)

Aggressive hardcore and punk inspired math is an ill-represented group these days. Even more so, those that are around seem to miss the point completely. Not having to be something for the sake of itself.. messing with the formula and injecting some personality. 

The Central level an enormous amount of flavor into this full length along with deftly moving between genres with gleeful abandon. Its hard to argue with such a self assured collection of songs that gives as much room to playing with indie conventions as metal and progressive rock. Sometimes this all happens in the middle of a song. Incredibly drumming, intense vocals a healthy dose of tasty riffs this is a group that should be bound for greatness. (88%)

Arms that Work - Automata (California)

A stellar two piece out fit that has churned out a rollicking EP that helps bridge the gap between convoluted math and something that is genuinely fun. Something that is missing from a lot of groups in this genre is that compositions are cold and sterile exercises in fret work and afro-cuban rhythms. Its clear that these guys are having a blast while still injecting passion and complexity where needed. We are introduced to interesting sounds in a instrumental environment that more than hold your interest for the entire duration of the EP. Some albums take a bit to sink in but Arms that Work arrive guns blazing to the party which is another welcome change.. no filler tracks.. no goofy intro.. all solid content. It reminds me a bit of a less jazz intensive Alarmist to be honest and that's a solid thing to be in line with. Full Length? Please. (84%)

Blind, the Thief - Luma (Colorado)

A three piece that creates a lot with a very traditional set up. The mood is strangely subdued chord wise but at times aggressive. It creates for some memorable riffs and moments throughout this full length. I will say at times things might be given a little too much room but just as you are about to make a remark boom these cats flip it up on you and lay down a tasty tapping portion. Which.. by the way I'm not a tapping fan generally but these guys are tasteful in their approach and try to inject some melodic moments to pull you in further. Really Solid Stuff. 

( 79% )