Soft Skills - A Future to Remember (2013)

SMACK — right in the ticker! Been waiting awhile to be taken at note one and here we are dear friends.

Soft Skills features two members of "Duck. Little Brother, Duck!" in yet another instance of the progeny being stronger and more focused than the progenitor. A couple of notable features running deep are awesome drums and a nice lighter indie math rock style. The icing for me though has to be the keyboard, a horribly underused instrument in this style featured front and center. Vocals? Yep, and they're pretty boss hog as well.

Stop reading and hit the linkage.

The Jezebel Spirit - I Hate it Here (2011)

Been following these guys for a bit kinda waiting for them to drop the big one...sigh. Half of the equation has been fulfilled as they are not together any longer but have this release to speak of. Thankfully its a straight looker. 

Aside from a fairly terrible band name these gents have some impressive pedigree behind them. Parts of "Bearcubbin" and "Duck. Little Brother, Duck!" are represented in this group, so you can only imagine that something good would come of this. 

This is post-rock that doesn't keep its fur lined winter parka on for a moment and yet has a great ambient and atmospheric quality to it. On the flip side there are some great mathy moments but really its a great showing of progressive instrumental post rock. A lot of really stellar ideas this is one not to miss at all.

Why more peeps haven't been slinging this is beyond my comprehension

Splendid.

U SCO - NEST (2012)

Let me get this off my chest and say I am so freaking glad U SCO are back in the game with a new release. Missed their first offering? You best check that at some point as well. This trio of death features members of two very wonderful math rock groups, Duck Little Brother Duck and With Eyes Abstract. Ryan Miller of With Eyes Abstract is without a doubt an INCREDIBLY under rated guitar player and should be right along side some of the best. Dark Prog influences with elements of noise and of course that math rock we crave. Amazing stuff.

NEST (2012)

Duck. Little Brother, Duck! - Don't Take Our Filth Away (2012)

Hey Kitties.  Its been long enough since these Portland natives have carved post hardcore math out of the earth like enchanted golems.  If your not "in the know" to them I suggest you allow us to enlighten your mind and expand your consciousness....now


Anywho yes this means new Duck. Little Brother, Duck! is here. and from my first few cursory listens I'd say this is going to be one hell of a release.

Don't Take Our Filth Away

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