POS Tops Tens - Andrew Grannis ( Flower Coronet )

Happy holiday week to one and all.

Welcome to another exciting installment of our top ten album series. This week we are treated to a list by Andrew Grannis, the one man jazz-math power house behind Flower Coronet.

A special event truly because Andrew has just dropped his newest release since 2013 called Hyperconformist EP.

I urge every living breathing organism to really dive in to this stuff as it's truly inspired composition. Mr. Grannis has graced us with two versions of his list. One a post-modern send up explanation as well as an abbreviated version. Hit the links to be transported.

Flower Coronet Domum Inspirationis 

Flower Coronet's Top Ten 

Jorge Arana Trio - Oso

Jorge Arana Trio had a really classy as shit album back in 2012 I really dug on and its been a few years but these guys are back. Id say this effort is a bit more rock centric than the far jazzier "Mapache" but hey I'd say its all the better for it. It's a fast and hard hitting release with insane chops but a rollicking soul thats just a lot of fun. Also just three guys? More people should be repping these cats. Highly surprised this group hasn't been on neighborhood watch years ago but theres always time to change. I know I plan on spreaking the gospel of this fantastic group high and low.

OSO

mOck - Components EP (2013)

Berlin based group mOck have one new song on display for us from their new EP. If you're not familiar these guys are a mixture of post-rock, intricate math rock and certainly some Jazz. Its all blended incredibly well without any chinks in the armor. This is a three piece that no one should be missing out on for sure.

mOck

Phantom Tollbooth - Power Toy (1988)

I understand December is typically for yearly lists but you won't catch one on this site from me. Possibly a few albums that have had staying power but nope sorry take your pitchfork elsewhere for a list. So I'll do you one better and reflect back  into the early years. Truly not enough people these days want to speak about formative bands in math rock these days. One of many such groups is the interestingly named Phantom Tollbooth (after a famous childrens book...if your not familiar its a good read for anyone). Extremely active and prolific in their relatively short life span (1984-1988)  these guys threw down some fairly left field music for the time. A generous mix of post-punk, noise, art rock and the ever important jazz element made Tollbooth a crazy fast ever shifting group to nail down. If that description sounds a bit like your used to thats because at times it certainly smacks of math rock.

Take a listen to the song "Crash Mode" and you'll begin to see what I mean. They were contemporaries of all the hallowed groups from the 80's (Sonic Youth, Mission of Burma, Minutemen ect) and were on the excellent Homestead label (Big Black, Bastro, Seam, Dinosaur Jr. among many other wonderful groups) "Power Toy" was their last album in 1988 and is arguably their best which would be a great starting point if your just coming into them. Robert Pollard (of Guided by Voices) famously commissioned the nixing of all vocals from Power Toy and recorded his own with new lyrics with it being called "Beard of Lightning" in 2003...strange.

Gaston - What Time Does Your Train Leave Today (2004)

As promised, I am upping this incredible post-rock group from Berlin called Gaston. Some deep jazz roots and an amazing compositional sense run through this album. The best part? The atmosphere that is built around each idea until it seemingly melts away, only to reform. A trait lacking in a lot groups that try to write ambient tunes from a math rock perspective.

What Time Does Your Train Leave Today

8/10/13 Ithaca NY : Del Paxton, Vasudeva, Gulfer, Cattle Drums

It's difficult for me to put into words the feeling that you get by being constantly blown away by incredibly talented and passionate bands, ones seen before and anticipated; high-fives, hugs, jumping, and dancing were pouring out of the wood work in Ithaca last night.

Buffalo's very own Del Paxton (ex-Beach Parade) opened the proceedings with their precision take on 90's emo with some math rock flirtations. For them being such a new group you'd be hard pressed to tell at all. Great use of vocals and occasional harmonies, which I'm always a sucker for. While not normally my genre of choice, it's a testament to the excellent songwriting and powerfully inspired kit work of these lovely gentleman that have me excited for their bright future. (video from the show)

Vasudeva (NJ) — in some sort of mind reading tactic — played my FAVORITE song of their's off  2011's Roots of the Tree, "Back to the Feeding Ground". It honest-to-christmas-christ took me a full 45 seconds to recover after being blasted by such a lush and full sound in that wonderful basement. Huge amount of energy and tons of fun to watch. If you're not familiar, soundwise we're talking busy instrumental post-math with lots of glorious tapping. Wasn't super familiar with their new material, but just like their last release there are a large amount of  melodic leads and impossible tapping passages with powerful drums. (video from the show)

Hailing from Montreal came Gulfer, who have been on my radar since their split with the lovely Fago Sepia. Hugely excited to finally see them in action and there was no disappointment at all — faaaaar from it. Math rock at its finest to be frank. Tight turns were navigated deftly by bass and drums, while the guitar seemed split between clean strumming and knotty tap workouts. It's in the variety of their songwriting that I have always loved Gulfer. They show their strengths well, moving from jazz influence to indie rock to harder breakdowns, but always with a grounding sense that never brings you too far from them. It's technical for sure, but never makes you feel weighted down. (video from the show)

And lastly... Cattle Drums. Third time seeing them, and each and every time I am even more blown away than the last. It is no exaggeration: they are the band to beat in any genre right now. The level of emotional connection they bring is second to none. Why, you may be ask? Well, lyrically there is no comparison. Think spoken word stream of consciousness that is a mix of philosophical musings crossed with bathroom scrawlings that can be profound and anthemic in the same moment (sometimes tragically inane). While this is happening, guitarist Gulab Singh is laying down some of the rawest riffage I can think of in twenty-thirteen.  Stopping and starting when needed and holding on to an especially awesome lick for exactly the right amount of time, followed closely by relentlessly busy drumming. A mutant mix of dirty punk, metal, math rock and indie rock. Either aspect by itself would be more than enough for two bands but smashed into one is like watching the opposite of a train wreck. It was a burner of a set for sure. (video from the show)

A large thank you to my good friend Bubba from Ithaca Underground who was instrumental in this coming together as well.

atrabillions - demo (2013)

Whoosh badoosh forgive my absence, I have been in the middle of some very heavy family medical stuff.  I am here to present you guys with a band that I actually just stumbled on not too long ago but have already very much been enjoying. atrabillions are an instrumental jazz prog-math three piece from Sydney Australia. What immediately caught my ears were the piano that finishes the drum and guitar triad....yep no bass. Which is fine and isn't lacking as the piano seems to at times fill that roll other times not.  The surprising bit is this is just a three song demo for these cats and they already sound like incredibly polished works. If you peak their influences its actually a farily decent smashing of these groups. Take a more structural driven "Tangled Thoughts of Leaving" a side of  "Mouse on the Keys" and a sprinkling of guitar business from Tera Melos..not much but just a smidge for flavor. It should be said that these guys are flying their own plane and that everyone here should get a great big kick out of this. Looking forward to hearing more.

Halcyon - Pastures (2011)

I dont like posting a lot of hit or miss type stuff but when this australian group hits its like a Little Mac upper cut. The misses aren't all that bad I will say they are some typical run of the mill djent. HOWEVER when these guys fold in the layers of jazz fusion and math rock elements with what is a very pastoral type feel your in for a ride. The song "Nesting" is a great example. So yea not the greatest but there should be something here for fans of instrumental musics.

Sholi

I thought by now I would be able to introduce this band via their newest album as it's been 4 years now since their debut came out (or any other news on them) but I still find myself coming back to it many times over. Besides the impressive song writing on display here what immediately drew me to this band is the jazzy drumming of Jonathon Bafus. Ever present yet understated at all the right times they anchor the numerous dynamic and emotional shifts throughout the album. It's not going to get your blood pumping with intensity but take the time to play this album end to end and let it wash over you. I would love to check these guys live, they seem so effortless and playful.

RIYL: Dismemberment Plan, Shipping News, June of 44



BNDCMP

Druk - Compostélion (2013)

Here's a promise for you, first five seconds of this and you'll be hooked.

Druk are an instrumental math rock band from Mexico.  Surprisingly a three piece for the amount of amazing noise these guys create. Lots of tight turns to be had here folks. Some honest to god hooky alt/post punk/metal tinged riffing from the the stellar guitar work. We can also talk the jazz/prog elements but theres no need to dissect any further as this will hit all of your pleasure centers. Seriously this one caught me on the jaw..wasn't at all prepared but I am loving every minute. Not to worry because these guys never stay in one place for two long. 

Something sounded cool 15 seconds ago? they bring it back 3 minutes later or mutate it a bit. 

Brilliance. Pure. Brilliance.

Highly Recommended

Mahogany Hand Glider - Terrain Station

Last time! on Plenty of Swords!


I am completely excited that I received a wonderful heads up about Mahogany Hand Glider's new EP that is on its way.  What is completely refreshing to see is the amount of progress these guys have made since their first set of songs. Having listened already I can safely say these impressive statements:

1.The Riff's hit harder.

2. Post Rock build up's and let downs of the past for MHG have disappeared into some incredible transitions for these guys. 

3.Where there was a less clear influence of jazz, math and prog before we now get these in a more complete light.  You could have called these guys a Post-rock band before and its just not nearly as apt any longer.

4.Hold on to your hats everyone because these gentlemen are poised for some blowing up. Lets help make that a reality.

PS The official date this comes out is April 29th :)

The Physics House Band - Horizons / Rapture (2013)

If any of you follow this sort of thing ;) an up and coming group called Physics House Band have released their first official album. I myself have been waiting patiently for such an event. I have heard most of these songs already and grown to enjoy each in their own particular ways. So what do they sound like? Well your going to hear this thrown around a lot in reviews...JAZZ FUSION!

but why now? why the tag? why not just say jazzy math rock?

Which yes you could argue in places that this is jazzy progressive math rock and in other spots its some legit fusion. This is where things get a bit complicated. As said most of these songs I am familiar with so how about the new ones? throw away filler tracks, minor points off. But how does everything sound together?.....

ehhh I dont know its just missing something for me...or maybe its too much? Ive been trying to think of exactly what it is. The filler tracks try to tie these songs together that are far and away pretty different and it doesn't work. Sometimes the crazy instrumental displays of prowess have me on the edge of my seat but more often than not I come up grasping sand to remember anything melodic or memorable. compositional song writing here is flawless but taken at once I'm missing some heart with what I thought was there before.

Many people are going to disagree with me...I understand..I do. This is well done stuff to be sure and most of you are already going crazy for it. Very interested to hear others detailed opinions.

Sounds like Braille - Right Out of Left Field, Straight to the Middle of Nowhere (2004)

Yes I know what you might be thinking...

When was the last time I posted something not within the last couple years?!

2004's truly wonderful album by Sounds Like Braille is a group that has many influences but honestly they are very much their own animal. Be clear that this is not incredibly busy math rock. It does have early 90's throwback feel to it occasionally and the songs are structured more along the lines of classical composition and post-rock not too mention the clear jazz influence. The hair does get let down to rock on a good amount of these songs.On the whole however its the pace is kept at a medium while allowing room for the instruments to tangle. Im not going to spend an absurd amount of time on this just know that this is a unique listen and a highly rewarding one at that. It is in my opinion a group that rarely gets the props they deserve so hopefully this brings a few more peeps in their direction.

No Metal in this Battle - Demo (2012)

Greetings a salutations Math heads I have been spending some quality time posting on the FANTASTIC math rock reddit page and highly recommend anyone unfamiliar to head over and give er a gander. 

Any who No Metal in this Battle are a four piece that hail from Luxemburg. Their style is post rock in structure with the jazz and math butted up alongside. To be honest I was not crazy about the first song and while its perfectly serviceable for what it is....eh just not enough to put over the edge.

The second song on the demo however struck me square center with all the emotional and instrument power I need. So its worth the listen truly even just for the second song. I am interested in what direction these guys will go but for now I've been stuck on this song :)

nometal

Polar Horse - David Powell Lives in a Box

Attention caught....

Slightly jazzy. altogether mathy

Really need more than one song to make a proper assessment but I enjoy the ideas and can see this being shaped into something incredibly solid.

Your on watch horse.

polarhorse

Bastard Eye Scream - Jenova Drinks Colours (2013)

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

YES!

 

Even 2 seconds in this hits you with a ten ton brink of awesome. O but then the vocals come in and the sweetness multiplies. 

 

This is post-hardcore herky jerk jazz dripping with math rock instrumentation. Technical yet with a healthy groove and a surprising pop sense. I can't imagine anyone that frequents these here pages not to like this. 

 

I think I may have a new favorite.

bastardeyescream

inside//outside - inside//outside (2013)

lets take a stroll off the path for a moment. 

Brooklyn Trio inside//outside just dropped their deput and I've gotta say

right out of the gates its a dazzler. Truthfully this owes much more to Jazz / Jazz Fusion than math rock however that should not deter anyone. Electronic and post - rock elements as well make themselves known. Highly recommend if your into excellent jazz that is interested in pushing some boundaries. Very atmospheric. Very tasty. 

 

inside//outside 

ps track three is like some kind of electro djent jazz monster. throwing a violin solo in the middle? genius. 

If you enjoy the process of sound entering your ears. this will make you smile so many times the outsides of your face might hurt.

Xavii - Our Recent Futures (2012)

The amount of groups I have yet to post from 2012 is a little maddening...

ANYWAY

 

Xavii are a Georgia based group that amass a healthy stable of influences into 

one that they fully own. Slight jazzy prog with tender interweaving math guitars. More than capable vocals help round out the equation as well. This however is not a snore bomb by any means 

and they frequently loosen their belts to exercise some 

very interesting stops and starts. 

As always I wouldn't steer you fine folks and folkettes wrong, this is quality biz.

xavii

At Years End....Almost

We are quickly approaching the end of our very own year 2012. There have been a A LOT of math rock releases with many of them still in heavy rotation for myself. I highly dislike year end lists...for a number of reasons that I'm not going to get into. Boring bits. However I would like to point out two groups that have managed to keep my brain in a death strangle hold since earlier in the year. 

 

#1:Renaissance Sound. 

I 

cant 

stop 

listening 

to this EP. 

Honestly just so fresh and interesting. While many of the groups this year falling on the well worn "rock" portion of "math rock" these cats are laying down highly calculated jazz that hints at math. Sure some of you may question how valid this position is given that you could argue this is just straight jazz. But come on at the heart of this release youve got a honest to god math group. With another EP on the way I am very much hoping these gentlemen continue to capture my heart. 

PoS

Bandcamp

______________________

Another wild exception to this would almost certainly have to go to Gastric Bands brain melting mutant world music math.

Heavy on the percussion with interesting rhythms all over this beast. Classic progressive rock mixed with equal parts math. Truth be told this is what I need when I am listening to a math group do their thing. Again being able to go out on a limb and trying something a little left of center goes a long way.

PoS

bandcamp 

Both of these groups get a gold star in my book this year and I couldn't be more excited to hear from both in the future.

-Ace

Jazz for Kids - B A B (single)

Consider this a bookmark of sorts for this up and coming release by Jazz for Kids. The vision of one artist, Jeremy Myint. All that I have to say is "wow". This is some self assured music that blends a couple more progressive genre stylings in an extremely pleasant way. Math rock via guitar tapping melded with Jazz fusion (not your fathers fusion mind you). With a lot of these one man efforts the ability to translate "intricate" styles and make them seemingly "effortless" is something that has always attracted me to projects such as this. That being said the crown jewel here I would say are these vocals that perfectly dance atop the proceedings in a way that only the composer of this music could.  So if your still saying "why all the fuss about one song?" well im making the call now.  Come Dec. when the full release comes out its going to be something a whole lot of math heads will be rubber necking about. You wont be sorry. 

jazzforkids