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

Hawks & Oxen - Shadow Matter (2011)

According to the bandcamp these folks were dead in the water before these songs were fully recorded. Huge freaking shame that we cant expect more from this Minneapolis four piece. We've just just got a lot of amazing things baked together to create a truly amazing end product.

Field recordings, Prog rock rhythms, Lush pop harmonies, Dissonant yet jubilant guitar interplay, some tight tight drums and Occational saxophone.

Its stitched so tightly that I even felt bad picking it apart. It just works so wonderfully. Math rock that is clearly of its own devices.

Plus facial hair on a baby totally screams math, yea?

hwks & oxn

Pretend - Bones in the Soil, Rust in the Oil (2009)

It's hard for me to wrap my head around this band for a couple reasons. Lets get this out of the way first off, the guitar's are pretty boring.  That's heavy criticism I know especially when your talking about a genre thats fairly reliant on awesome off time guitars ( yes, math rock. what flip else do I talk about? :) They are light, airy, repetitive, occasionally aimless, lacking in dynamic's but they do get the job done not from lack of skill. Why even mention them then?
DRUMS!
This dude is seriously carrying all the weight on his back and its obvious to all because the production has him front and center. The reason I pick them apart is they have the potential to be soooo good. At times they really are good and everything comes together so nicely that you forget the past 4 minutes but then its back.  Below is the full length and 3 demo cast offs from an upcoming release.

Bones in the soil, Rust in the oil

demo

Duck. Little Brother, Duck! - Survival Is Not A Workout

Portland based math rock quartet with a dual guitar attack that is equally indebted to post hardcore as math rock. Some would say its a bit emo but I dont think thats a fair tag more in feeling than anything else. The vocals help tie things together as things can get a little carried away.  When the guitarists are trying to be melodic they succeed in spades but when things get a bit crowded its hard to gain a feel.  It should be noted also that the drummer rips it up hard.  Aside from some minor quibbles this is a great release for a fairly new group. Its worth the look see trust me.

Survival Is Not A Workout

Mice Parade - Bem-Vinda Vontade (2005)

The tag "indie rock" is a funny thing. At one point in time it truly meant more than it does today but is still every bit the blanket term we use it for. Adam Pierce's on going project Mice Parade is actually a very singular venture in a time when most are floundering in the deep end.  A lot of what makes this group so good has a lot to do with Pierce's own major contribution to his group, rhythm. Truthfully a lot of it is Pierce's excellently complex drum licks that fleck the landscape of these songs but listening as a whole you'll find the guitars do much the same.  The guitars have this sort of Spanish guitar light feel to them employing many of their signature rhythms. I have been a large fan of this group for a long time and from the get go you'll see why. Perfectly executed Spanish influenced indie rock with interesting drums and a dash of vocals all round this package out.   


Bem-Vinda Vontade

The Littlest Viking - Labor and Lust (2009)

Fun and interesting instrumental rock music must be my special weakness along with babies, san pellegrino and a nice apple on a fall day. I can promise you have heard bits and pieces these guys throw around in other groups but they do it with a great bounce and even transcend to some emotional parts on a few songs. Very excellent two piece that I personally have been waiting to here from for awhile. the guitar can get a bit technical but generally likes to bounce along but boy can that drummer pummel his kit. If this is a new face for you and your into this sort of math rock bizz do it.

Labor and Lust (2009)

The Most Serene Republic - Population

Population is the sophomore effort from Canada's The Most Serene Republic. Signed to revolving door super group Broken Social Scene's label arts and crafts you may be able to piece together the sonic puzzle of this band. Boy girl vocals, horn section, indie pop rock with dynamic song structures....sound familiar? Well yes and no.  You'd have to be in a lot of denial to say that they don't sound even a little bit like BSS. But it would be doing this group a disservice to dismiss them on these charges. Its a very enjoyable outing and actually pushes things a bit more than even their influences do.  Also as another feather in their cap the drums are top notch running amok. Just check out  album highlight "compliance" where they are front and center tearing up the earth around them. Its worth the time to check but wont be sneaking on anyone's top 20.

Population

Toe

Since acerola posted Mouse on the Keys, which I have been digging immensely the last few days, I have wanted to put up some Toe, another instrumental band that Mouse reminded me of. Toe are just as technically tight as Mouse, and their drummer is outrageous. He comes up with such intricate, effortless beats; when you watch him it makes you feel like anyone could play drums.

This is a track off The Book About My Idle Plot On A Vague Anxiety