Plini - Other Things (2012)

 

Plini is a solo project based out of Sydney, Australia. Plini offers to us an amazing three track EP, showcasing an amazingly atmospheric jazz fusion/post-rock/djent sound. The third track, Selenium Forest, while less jazz influenced, is still absolutely amazing (perhaps even the best track on the EP). If you are looking for something a little different (albeit excellent!), give this a shot. I promise you won't think twice about listening to it more than once.

Check 'em out on Facebook and Bandcamp.

Other Things

dedleaves (2012)

There's something incredibly charming about this 4 piece instrumental group from Baltimore...I dont know if I have hit on it just yet but I am really enjoying this first effort. I wouldn't classify this as math rock but there is plenty of rhythmic complexity for any mathnick to nod in satisfaction. Something that is missing from a good amount of progressive group's such as dedleaves is ATMOSPHERE. These guys have zero problem with that aspect and maybe thats what I can appreciate the most that makes them so special. Each song is structured interestingly as well moving seamlessly into new passages. Which pretty much brings us into the very clear post-rock end of this music.  Incredibly solid album. no duds. Grab this up. Loving it

dedleaves

Former Animals - Former Animals (2012)

Lets face it gang Math Rock is really all about those clean toned guitars cutting through each other.  This is less a rule of the genre and more of an issue of..shall we say...listen-ability.  Hear me out for a second.  With lazy production or the introduction of pedals to muddy your tone, your bracing new tribute spencer seim is going to sound confusing.

Why even bring this up? Well because Former Animals bring some interesting ideas to the table by way of atmospherics and guitar tone changes. At times shifts to the general "established" ideas of the "math rocking" just doesn't turn out so well. Tag on that fact that at many points it sounds like the train is about to derail and this sounds like it may not be very good.

SO FAR FROM THE TRUTH.

Because this train is filled with dancing bears and the tracks are constructed of marshmallows. When this train does go off track it somehow manages to still be fracking amazing...nay better. This is a pretty flawless release in my book. Dont see many of those around these days.

Occasionally jazzy and a bit punky maybe? interesting song structures, really inventive riffs and pretty proggy in spots. Wrap it up with a bow because this is some of the most interesting math rock I've run into so far this year.
 
Former Animals

The Stay Lows - Signature Bridge

To find a decent post-rock band in my neck of the woods has seemingly been a tricky prospect. This 5 piece from Buffalo NY gives me exactly what I'm looking for in many ways. This isn't weepy explosions in the sky wait for it crescendo's but more consistent high's and low's. They play with math-rock a bit but mostly attempt to create interesting edgy post rock chamber pop. It could stand to be a little bit more of an individual in a crowded room and cello parts do help in this area but its mostly from a rhythmic stand point that some more thought should go in. Vocals do present themselves and are a welcome addition as well, more please. Atmospherically they actually do better than most. You get the feeling they are playing in some kind of dank cavern and thats always a cool thing.

Signature Bridge