Iran Iran - V (2013)

Here's some UK based math right here in the form of four piece group "Iran Iran". They are playing

arctangent fest this year as well. Familiarize yourself with these gentlemen because they throw some great curves in the three songs they have up for display.

IRANIRAN

Zefs Chasing Cara - Ultra Gown (2013)

New Zefs Chasing Cara has finally arrived. Its been a few years believe it or not since his last release (2010) But thankfully we are here to celebrate. For those unfamiliar this one man UK based math popster revels in tight turns and a penchant for electronic elements. Before I go any further there are great moments here and it is a progression from "Kneel and You Will Lose". However the sort of furthering is one I cant fully be on board for. Like I said Zef's has been steadily creeping toward more and more electro flavored elements but it was always the balance of live and sampled/keyboards that kept me interested. Ultra Gown at times is just too polished and inorganic sounding to totally sell me. The scales have seemingly tipped in favor of less live instrumentation and/or completely blending everything together. Lets be clear when I say that this release does still have more creativity than 75% of the math rock I've been in contact with this year. I gotta say im on the fence with this one and it may take me a few more listens. self imposed hype is never a positive.

ZEFSCHASINGCARA

Lost in the Riots - Kong (single 2013)

Who's happy to see Pumpkins out?!
THISGUY

Anyway, Lost in the Riots released a pretty accomplished full length earlier this year. Clearly not ones to rest on their laurels, we're being treated to a hot new single. This group of UK gents travel in the ancient art of instant post rock gratification by way of tasty math. I have to say the full length was missing a certain "spice"or other non specific word that could mean any number of things. How does the single fair? Well blow me down, we've got a winner. Tons of great moments exploding in just this track alone, so dive in or dine out. It's expensive to do that, so I suggest get to diving in and downloading.

Control - Volition (2013)

One track featuring a UK based two-some... wait for it... bass and drums. While your brain is conjuring some blasty-aggro-shoddily-produced-mess this is leagues away. Control have a wonderful progressive backbone and move in and out pretty freely between mathy sections and post-metal yarn while always keeping a heavy hand on the melody button. These guys cover a disgusting amount of ground in six minutes and it's honestly over before you can bat an eye. Oh and that cover art of the boat? They play on it in their video, clutch biz.

Cousin - Alternate Tunings for Regular People (2013)

Apparently it took one more release from this UK trio to really sink into my dome. It has a bit of a 90's throw back feel with chord progression's (reminds me a bit of polvo...slightly) but structurally it follows a more math rock / post hardcore (minor) bent and I just cant argue with that. There's no boring interludes or builds its straight to the excellent riffage, no time wasted. This is something that I can imagine many people diving right into because its that immediate. Solidly crafted stuff.

HIMSELF - SELFLESS (2012)

Just posted a track off this on the Facebook page and decided it wasn't fair for everyone not to fully enjoy this wonderful noise. UK based alt rock math with spoken word sing songy vocals?? 

Honestly there have been some rumblings on these guys around the interwebs and have been a little surprised to not see more. The vocal style is a little ugh how should i say "gonzo"  while not being annoying and adds a nice bit of personality. Not horribly mathy but progressive never the less. these guys can bring the party down to a really tense chill level and raise up some heavy crushing riffs. Certainly to be checked out.

Minoans - Linear A (2011) + Linear B (2012)

Minoans are an electrifying trio hailing from the English Midlands. They come bearing two gifts, in the form of (1) somewhat short (but definitely sweet) album and (1) EP. Inside, you'll find just under 41 minutes of mathy emo goodness in total, complete with beautiful, resonant lyricism and that majorly great math rock instrumental work that you all seem to love so much. If you don't mind unique, poetic lyrics and vocals that are somehow seen by some poor, misguided souls as odd-sounding, (Come on, people! Unique is a much better word.) you're in for one hell of a listening session. What're you waiting for? Dig in.

You can find them on the Facebook as well as their own website.

Linear A
Linear B

Russian Blue - Etiquette EP (2012)

Some really good UK based math rock with equal parts indie rock lovins. Vocals are plentiful and add to the proceedings. Nice breakdowns and some curves thrown in for the ADD crowd (myself included) Solid stuff here peepsis.

russianblue

Mahogany Hand Glider - Naked Huf (2012)

Uk based Instrumental Rock group Mahogany Hand Glider drum up a large amount of emotion with an instrument set up that many times times has you counting "z's" than saying "please!" You get the sense that every note here has been carefully crafted and not used to fill space. Build up's which I'm not normally a large fan of are used pretty well. Notice how I haven't said Math Rock yet? well yea a lot of this could be classified as such but way more on a post-rock note...kind of a samuel jackson five vibe if you catch me. Still this three song biz is really tight and I can only see the future looking bright for these guys.

Naked Huf (2012)

Apollo's Arrows

If you dont know now you know.

The James Cleaver Quintet - That was Then, This is Now (2011)

      I have been a patient man awaiting this album to come out. After hearing a track or two off some compilations my anticipation has been mounting. UK group James Cleaver Quintet have been carving out a name for themselves with some heavy touring and  a lot of energy.  This however doth not makith an excellent group and they have many favorable items in their corner.  The guitars like to flit between post-hardcore, straight punk and hardcore and yet with the harder edged genre's they still remain pretty poppy. That is of course helped by some extremely varied vocals.  There isn't anything DIRECTLY mathy about them but their bass and drum section loves the starts and stops, and interesting rhythmic patterns.  Its a grab bag really but with so much energy thrown in it just works so damn well. Think something akin to the "Big Scary Monsters Recording" roster but after being off their meds for awhile......I mean that in the best way possible.

That was Then This is Now (2011)

(props to "Me and Music Call It Insanity" for the link. They are super boss) 

Three Trapped Tigers

UK Electronic Instrumental Math-Rock

Even the above is a poor categorization. This is instant joy out of the gates. Extremely calculated rock music. These three are all over the place and do it all so seamlessly. A noise rock passage morphs into an ambient piano part and into full on lock step math. Let me just say also that those drums and keyboard are flipping N A S T Y as all get out. I'm sensing a pattern :)

EP 1

EP 2

You Slut! - Critical Meat (2008)

 

(UK) Alt. Math Rock

This is some seriously fun instrumental math rock. Its a grower however and I wasn't sure what the deal was.Eventually the riffs tend to stick in your head. Ever had a friend that had trouble staying on topic? well he plays guitar in this band.

Critical Meat