Sweep the Leg Johnny - Going Down Swinging

I'm hoping there are those of you out there that are not super familiar with these guys.  Although if your even slightly schooled in the off time arts you should have at least heard mention. Those that do know, as far as mid to late 90's early 2000's math rock, Sweep the Leg Johnny was an important and impressive musical force. What they are most known for is the inclusion of not just vocals but a vocalist that also plays saxophone. Very cool rhythmic ideas at work but not especially frantic. They do get slow and at times resemble a fairly standard early 90's dissonant indie rock band (not a negative thing) Going Down Swinging was to be there last release in 2002 and a great place to start when checking them out. They seem to be at the height of their style playing very intricate extended rock. This is some excellently crafted and very much a classic Math rock group.


Going Down Swinging (2002)

PLOKK - A + B

PLOKK are a 5 piece from Hamburg. (EDIT: 3 piece ((even more impressive)) )
PLOKK are freaking amazing

Just listen to the facts. This is a franken beast that makes so much sense when you hear it.  Depending on the moment you might catch them in the middle of some kind of quasi dissonant guitar battle that sounds like its about to fall  apart. Two seconds later you could be thrashing to an all out alternative metal  riff. It never turns out sounding at odds with itself though and flows organically on its way. The band itself says "intelligent krautrock" which I suppose you could tack in there.  A better idea as far as other bands go would be a more disjointed and less jazzy version of Fago. Sepia, a wonderful comparison in my opinion. So i know i must say this a lot but if you enjoy math rock in any of its aspects this is not something you can pass by. Don't even think about it.

A + B

metaghostin' Vol. VIII - Don't Be Such a Dissonancy

Don't Be Such a Dissonancy - 50'34"
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Ornette Coleman : "Skies of America" :: US Congress : ?
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1. Sonic Youth - "'Cross the Breeze" / Daydream Nation (1988)
2. Zvoov - "How Dare You How Dare Me" / Everbrown EP (2011)
3. Brontide - "Limestone Ink" / Sans Souci (2011)
4. Soft Machine - "As If" / Fifth (1972)
5. Natsumen - "Septemujima" / Endless Summer (2005)
6. Blue Cranes - "Here Is You, Here Is Me" (Ethan Rose remix) / Oversea Orbits (2010)
7. Massacre - "Carrying" / Killing Time (1981)
8. Zevious - "The Noose" / After the Air Raid (2009) 
9. Kayo Dot - "The Awkward Wind Wheel" / Blue Lambency Downward (2008)
10. Dysrhythmia - "Will the Spirit Prevail?" / Barriers and Passages (2006)

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P.S. - Natsumen got a new record coming out next month, ready to cure all your impotence issues.

Time of Orchids - Namesake Caution (2007)

There is some division here at The Swords over this group, but I'm here to say while not a large fan of past releases 2007's Namesake Caution has some honest to Christmas amazing songs going on. Time of Orchids during their....time were a group very in love with classic prog rock and putting a modern day spin on it. Guitar's play off key melodies as much as they play catchy progressions but they are usually always met with the opposite vocal treatment. Vocals are very often layered with odd harmonies on top but its a technique that works and really gives it that throwback progressive sound. Its a balanced way of carrying out their songs and even a few times the two end up meeting for some actual moments of melodic harmony. Things do tend to get a bit technical but it never sounds ends up sounding academic.  With most things progressive though without proper song structure things can fall into the indulgent rather quickly with nothing to hold you. There are plenty of intelligent twists and turns to keep you engaged thankfully. I can not however say these guys are for everyone. Just something you'll have to figure out on your own. You know where I stand at least.



Namesake Caution (2007)