Year in Review (Part 2) Return of Jafar

Del Paxton - Worst. Summer. Ever.
There was an evolution of my love for this record. It started with initial listens of the first few songs, followed by seeing them live, then the album finished. Interest turned to like transformed to love. This is honest work, alt-emo of the highest order. You can sing along while your shaking your rump and that to me is a hard thing to achieve. all of this while still be impressed by the songwriting chops. I can safely say that bigger and better things are destined for these boys and hopefully more people start taking notice.


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Inside//Outside - Self Titled
This album is many many many wonderful styles gleefully crammed into the body of a  jazz fusion monster. A round of applause because they make this horribly complex music sound like a gorgeous sunday stroll. A true sign for me when an album has so infiltrated my life is when months later it has seeped into my office playlist. It operates as background music when asked or second by second torn apart with intent listening ears. Calming and disorienting within moments. Its in these opposites playing off one another there is built a singular release. I need more of this, please.

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A.M. Overcast - Pellow
Alexander Litinsky lords over the realm of math pop like a restless king. I challenge anyone to find music this year that is so sugar sweet yet has disgustingly sharp corners and mathy tight turns. Its just a whole lot of fun....and whats fun without a large amount of handclaps? Trademark boy girl vocals add to the brew as well Alex's expert kit work. Makes a man want to cuddle up with a pellow.




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Viridians - (sp) arrows EP
From the first few notes I was hooked to the tune of 23 listens in the first night I stumbled on this album. It hasn't left my side since. Why? Its gotta be those vocals man, including those stunning harmonies and thats not a trait most post hardcore math rock can boast for sure. However, the instrumental portion is so on step that it just clicks with something deep within my soul.  Thats the largest compliment I can pull out really so if you haven't educated yourself on this then redemption is only a click away.

Fight Cloud - Simple Structures ep (2013)

When we last left our intrepid heroes (who apparently cohere into a brawling mass of water particles) they had already made clear that they were in possession of an incredibly mature sound. As their name would suggest, they were at once ambient with soaring vocals yet ready and willing to toss bolts of hefty electric riffs down to earth and send the people scattering amidst skittering rhythms. Simple Structures is their latest release, and while seemingly a smidgen more muscular, these guys haven't gone to great ends to fix what wasn't broken — there ain't a band out now doing what they do at this level of success. So while I generally like to see some progression from release to release, there are instances where I honest to god just want more of what these dudes are serving up.

FIGHTCLOUD

Alarmist - Pal Magnet (2013)

Can we form a committee and talk about how
funtastic this new Alarmist album is?

Why isn't everyone losing their minds over this?

Why are you still reading?!

GO!

ALARMIST IS BETTER THAN YOUR BAND

Giraffe Massacre - Failed Attempts (2013)

After having been let down by the new Dismemberment Plan album, a reader on our facebook page suggested I cleanse thine ear holes with this. Giraffe Massacre hail from Oklahoma City and have brought me back to reality for a moment. Also (I've said it before and I'll say it again) two pieces are not my deal at all. So instead of ham isting some garage riffs, these guys bring the heavily infectious melodies and sly rhythms.  I have been through this EP several times now and have found myself coming back to it even in just this short time. Tasteful at all moments, shedding its own light and still sharing obvious influences. Math pop minus vox with some charming head sticking riffs and at times pretty technical drums. I see a lot of bull trash getting thrown around these days in the genre and I was beginning to feel a bit jaded, but turns out allI needed was a good Giraffe Massacre.

GM

Second Greatest Dad Ever - Joy Ride (2013)

It's one thing to have two guitar players in your band and something else entirely to have two guitarists in your band that can play off one another while consistently tearing into awesome riffs. Math rock to be sure, but with that yearning quality that indie emo brings to the table (the vocals contribute greatly to that feeling). Like I'm always looking for, this has the mark of a band having lots of fun with their own material. Nice to see the Lone Star state being repped, as I don't really see too much like this from that southern realm. Excited to hear what a full length could bring from this four piece.

Kawri's Whisper - EP (2012)

Hailing from St. Petersburg Russia, Kawri's Whisper demonstrates an incredible understanding of balance. That is to say between completely indulging in prog excess and time shifting math rock. It's a pretty fair cut down the middle and done with the right amount of heart that shines through. Instrumental in nature as well there is atmosphere built from song to song. It looks as though via there facebook page that they have some newer stuff on the horizon because this EP is just the first few bites of a meal I need to finish. Really enjoying this.

kawriswhisper

Beach Parade - Tour Loko EP (2011)

Eli one of our fine members of the PoS had gotten me wise to these guys a little while back. I can safely say I am embarrassed to have missed such excellently crafted and instrumentally complex punk music from Ithaca NY. It's got that insane energy with great powerful vocals and some extremely inspired dual guitars. If your in the mood from some high flying rock then let this be your first stop of the night.

Beach Parade

Salvador - Fera Vischer (ep) (2013)

Rio De Janeiro based post rockers Salvador lay down some pretty interesting instrumental math rock I have to say. I wasn't completely sold until I noticed the introduction of some interesting effects and welcome twists to the formula. These slight departures add some well needed personality to the proceedings. I do have to say as well that as the EP progresses the songs seem to only get better and better while ramping up the complexity. Like I said it took a minute to sink into this lovely group but you'll be thankful for doing so. Listen.

Drunken Forest - EP (2013)

I'm not even 10% sure I know exactly how to start this. Baffling I know. This was posted fairly recently on the math rock reddit page for those wondering how I stumbled upon this.

So we have here the work of one individual that is very obviously in love with a wide range of music. The one thing that does run throughout is the obvious love of Math rock and its rhythms. Have to throw in the progressive tag in as well for the odd breaks and runs. What I appreciate most though is the sense of experimentation that runs throughout these pieces. From one moment to the next you will be genuinely surprised and delighted, and it takes a lot for me to say it and mean that. There's horn samples, Traditional spanish guitar breaks, straight up tech metal and the icing on the cake.... A Fensler Films GI Joe PSA. Be still my beating heart. LOVE THIS <3

Viridians - [sp] arrows EP

It literally just occured to me that I have been listening to this three song EP on repeat....and enjoying every flipping second. This Canadian group has the post-hardcore pop lite math thing thang down pat. Instruments are just the right amount of twitchy and complex with memorable chord progressions.  Its odd because they sound a bit familiar but more in an almost nostalgic way.  Compound that with some incredibly powerful vocals (including harmonies) and well shut the gate its a done deal. Do yourselves a favor and end your weekend with something nice and refreshing.

Pilgrimage - EP (2013)

Solid state four piece from sunny Florida. I say sunny because in upstate New York we are still in the throws of this death winter, such is life.

Pilgrimage melt genres like a 3 cheese pizza of deliciousness. Structure wise and pacing goes to post-rock. math rock and post hardcore sensibilities round this beauty out. Not overly technical but certainly no slouching here and theres a fair bit of twists and turns to keep your brain alert for predators. Vocals make their presence known and are generally powerful and add a powerful dynamic to the proceedings.

The influences on the shoulder are many but its clearly well loved and cared for by these gentlemen. Worth a gander to be sure.

PLGRMGE

Langosta - Super Nature EP (2013)

damn kid....

some of the busiest fracking post rock I have heard in a good looooong time. the math is tasteful and goes down smooth. Minor gripe? maybe mixed a bit to high. but everything sounds as it should. does not take away the hidden treasures buried in these songs. Great memorable guitar lines abound. I know nothing of these cats if any one does drop me a line. I am hella impressed.

 Langosta

Hit Home - Happily Ever ... (2013)

New (ish) Boston three piece Hit Home are a double dragon of combined forces. Van Gogh Sky member Mateo Garcia and Civil member Angelo Gambatesa along with drummer Corey Best. Sorry Corey, I'm unsure what other group(s) you may be from. If your an avid Sword fellower I did write up Civil last year (wink wink nudge) I like that this certainly splits the difference between those two groups. High energy yet able to switch to some slow emotional stuff. Its also worth mentioning there are some really quality instrumental arrangements going down. Kinda a bit of an emo vibe as well? but certainly math rock focused. Wish this was LONGER but alas an EP is an EP and for now we must be happy with what we are given. Great stuff stuff going on, check it. 

Hit Home

Dore Mear Beon - EP (2012)

Sooo Dore Mear Beon were a part of a previous post of mine (submission hold round up)

I had some generally good impressions of Andrew Sagriff's first solo effort (curiously replaced by this ep) and it looks like he has a brand new joint out. Gotta say kitties this is a much more focused sound. Still my one gripe would be the programmed drums....gotta say it doesn't hurt the songs but with some live drums it would give this a serious shot in the arm. The guitars themselves are pretty inspired and theres some great moments with the interplay between the two leads. I think a lot of people will end up really enjoying Andrew's take on math rock.

doremearbeon

Macho Muchacho - Eme Eme (2012)

Tap-happy frenetic music from Ecuador with no words and even more notes. A lot packed into this brief EP but there are some good melodies going on here as well. Hope to see more from these guys in the future. 

BNDCMP

DWNLD

Avian Architecture - Gemini Talons (EP)

The spirit of psychedelic prog runs strong with these two ghost runners.  But to tag as an automatic throw back? nah brah shit is updated and upgraded. Heavy electronic elements and a drummer that seriously never takes a millisecond break. Is this mathy? eehhhh id be hard pressed to make a case for that but there are certain songs that have there moments. however those that enjoy such ventures will latch right onto the frentic drums and chaotic music. 

Zorch on some kind of roids bender? yea maybe

avianarchitecture

Toast - EP

Hey all just want to keep everyone on point on this new joint from LA. Giving you another superb reason to love toast, these LA bred Math Rocktionists tear through a solid EP of incredibly labyrinthine gems.  You may have seen or will be seeing these guys pop up the reason being because this is some clean math no filler.

Bandcamp

The Soft Greens - Ceiling (EP)

There's been some talk of Loose Lips Sink Ships on the fantasmagorical facebook arm of this fine musical blog....cough..cough.. Plenty of Swords (facebook edition)

Anyway's I promised to post an off shoot of LLSS from guitarist Conor Mackey called The Soft Greens. This is very much NOT math rock as if you couldn't latch onto that fact within the first .5 seconds. This is electronic dance pop albeit very Frankensteined.  Rhythmically at times this stuff gets super complex and wild with some deep breaks thrown in. Maybe if Aphex Twin had a 15 year old second cousin that was into max tundra? In any case it needs to be checked into. mark it.

bandcamp

Civil - EP

Refreshed is how I like to feel when I listen to a math rock band for the first time. Like opening your bedroom window after a long rest.....and then being assaulted with guitars trading time signatures.

Many times the influences hang so heavy that I cant push past the Vietnamese brush of tera melos and don cab sound alikes. 

Civil is a group from Toronto, Canada that is technical yet pop oriented, a perfect balance all the way.

This is what youd call "OTHER SUNDRIES"

Great structures, powerful drums, amazing vox and guitar riffs that I feel are pretty unique. Its a pretty new EP and not something I've heard many people yacking about so it's certainly time these gents get some due props. It really is that amazing and I cant really put my finger exactly on what it is. Sure there is a fair bit of tapping going on but thats not really unique unto itself. Just that the sum of everything going on is super impressive. The vocals also occationally shift to do some atypical things for the genre but you can discover that on your own :)

Listen to this.

Now.

Are You?
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Edit:  I'm being told by Chris from the group that he would like to be considered under the "sundries" catagory. Consider it done sir.

CIVIL

Signals - Square Wheels EP

I can see this getting huge in 15 seconds

 Female VOX... YES!

indie rock with a smattering of math from Southern England

ALTHOUGH wish the math elements were stronger.

STILL

Square Wheels EP 2012