Codon - NODOC (2016)

       Ran across this beast of an album that..seemingly has appeared out of no where. A progressive rock and acoustic folky tinged feel litter the proceedings. Rounding out everything is some intense drumming chops. The songs are incredibly varied while still maintaining an identity all their own. If you are wondering the origin of this upon some further digging we find that this is the work of Cameron Lawrence. Who? Oh.. you know just the drummer for mega excellent Nova Scotia based Oceanic.  This is a different beast though for sure but very much in the vein of pushing progressive boundaries in unique ways.

Mushroom Death Suit

Have been listening to this acoustic folk math flecked gem for the last few days. It has held my ear strongly. Interesting vocals...atypical and all the better for it honestly.

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 

Old Head - Stained Glass Stilts (2015)

Old Head? New Head? Heady Head?

Hmmm well it had been posted on our facebook page awhile back and i saw it sitting in the ever awesome math rock reddit community.. must be a sign I suppose.  

So where do we start? Its a methodical take on math for sure...dare i say...F O L K ...ish? I do like that it doesn't falls into clear tropes (incessant tapping ect) 

At least guitar wise I feel this throw back folk picking. As for the drums and bass well they are ramping it up off a cliff. Tasteful bass runs and some fun drum licks. At necessary times restrained when things get moody slow for your girl....or guy. Keyboard as well I've found when done correctly fleshes out even the most chaotic of math. I really enjoy this i guess is what im getting at. Solid mix inside and out of the head phones. Philly based, should make their way upstate way for sure.

Big Bad Buffalo - American (2014)

These guys have been on my radar and have posted to our little fantastical facebook page where we have lively discussions about progressive...stuff.

Plenty of Swords (facebook page)

Annyywhose, these cats are playing sort of a 90's throw back indie style but with some nice little time shifts occasionally. Vocals are here as well and they are surprisingly catchy in an odd sort of way but it all comes together for a really fresh package. Check this out.

BIGBADBUFFALO

Oceanic - Origins (2014)

Like the long lost child of Jardin de la Croix. This Nova Scotia group dial down the metal elements of said group and focus on a much more experimental prog focused affair. At times incredibly busy and complex and other times fairly laid back but no less interesting. There's just not enough quality math prog out their and fewer even yet that can incorporate the metal element so seemlessly. Also would like to add for the record....mentioning Jardin in the first sentence of my little entry is a high honor as I feel they really exemplify the math metal genre to its fullest so highest praise sugar lips. This may not be as fun as blowing on a flaming lollipop but I can guarantee it tastes a whole lot better.

ORIGIN

CHON - Woohoo! (2014)

These guys are too good. im convinced they are all musical wizards from a far, far away land. Their 2011 EP was posted here a good while back but i thought they deserved an update since they've been very, very active the last year or so.

CHON released a 2013 album called Newborn Sun, shortly followed by a 2014 EP called Wohoo! Both available on their bandcamp (link below).

Last week, Audiotree released a 6 track live session with CHON. Check it out below....mesmerizing!

Full session: CHON - Audiotree Session

CHON BANDCAMP

Jonathan Lear - Memory Well (2014)

Oddly enough, I was complaining today about the lack of really solid acoustic based math around. Sure, there's some viable suggestions, but it's not often enough we venture beyond folk-math. So check this grist, we've got a one man show going down that condenses a lot of very solid elements down. Jonathan Lear takes an acoustic back bone (finger-style light with some folk rock) and melds that with a healthy dose of mathy/prog... but not too much. The music straddles a fine line that keeps it from becoming too convoluted or too folky at any time. On top of that each song has its own feel with different instruments as well.

Can't say enough really. A great find by Dan Moriarty of the mighty "A Troop of Echoes". So props must be given all around. Enjoy.

JL - Memory Well

Luo - In the Dark

First of all let me be the first to say "Thank you and welcome back Computer Jones" our frequent poster from across the pond. We have been missing your mathalogical insight's hehe.

Second off my my my I have to say its been a hot minute since a song/video has moved me as much as this one by Luo. This is a full band version of what is essentially experimental producer Josh Trinnaman who has released some incredibly solid glitch, hop, math, jazz blender love.  This live version gives it a certain post rock feel and ups the emotion to a power level of over 9000! truly you must check this out even just for those skillfully wielded drums.

Luo - In the Dark (Live Session) (SWEET FANCY ITS GOOD)

Luo Bandcamp

Facebook

Okkoto - Forchids (2013)

Love this intro; wish it went right into something killer instead of dying out. Some quality parts, but feels a little too patchwork stitched.
OKKOTO

Death and the Ninth Day - Man Falls Down Well

I have been patiently waiting on this record to come out ever since I first checked these guys out back at the start of the year. Back then they had just the three tracks of this, with another four to follow. Well I can happily say it was worth the wait, as these guys have laid down some epic tunes with some serious instrumentation. Though not purely Math Rock there is plenty here for you to enjoy, with a sound that to me incorporates indie-sounding tech metal, prog, and a healthy dose of math, to name a few of the styles they weave together. At points they sound a bit like Animals as Leaders covering TTNG tunes (well, that's what struck me when I first heard the track hanging houses).

P For Persia - Coral Canyon (2011)

2011 seems a bit dated than we are used to here, I realize — BUT! These UK spacey chip math indie noise beasts are releasing a split EP (Aegis Arctic Alp) tomorrow and as such you should all be on high alert (because it's awesome). Certainly check out Coral Canyon beforehand to get some fresh perspective before you dive headfirst into the EP tomorrow. It's some pretty scattershot music, but they do a great job of wrangling everything under one roof.

SuperPK - Sweet Dreams

One track by newcomer SuperPK from the state of Pennsylvania.  Mega-chilled out guitars (nicely restrained tapping) with some hushed vocals. If you're looking for that razzle dazzle you may need to look elsewhere, but this has a solid honesty and rich vocal harmony I keep coming back to. Interested to see what else these guys may have up their sleeves.

Slender Loris - World Tour (2013)

I have to say that I usually enjoy my lorises "slow", but after meeting this here Slender Loris my tune has changed. A three piece that employs speak/shout vox and some dirty punky guitars doesn't exactly smack of the math we love, but give this release a second and there is a lot to love, not too mention a couple twists. Jagged is the word I would use for these riffs for sure. In a lot of ways this reminds me of the fabulous No Means No and shoot, that's some high flying compliments. Early 90's vibes but not heavy to the point where I need a Crystal Pepsi. It took me a moment to grab hold of what these guys are doing, but thats my own fault truly and once you do I can promise that you'll be on board the ship.

Supernormal Prophets - Right up, Word on (2013)

Some mixed meter and shifting times from this solo electro post-hardcore math project — sounds interesting right? Well, that's prolly cause it is. This comes to us from Ireland and is actually a lot funkier than I would have guessed. Something a little different than the standard "r o c k" based biz I bring, so drink up.

Beach Parade - Tour Loko EP (2011)

Eli one of our fine members of the PoS had gotten me wise to these guys a little while back. I can safely say I am embarrassed to have missed such excellently crafted and instrumentally complex punk music from Ithaca NY. It's got that insane energy with great powerful vocals and some extremely inspired dual guitars. If your in the mood from some high flying rock then let this be your first stop of the night.

Beach Parade

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

Flower Coronet - Circumstances Revised (2013)

So I'd dare say this wouldn't fit anyone strict definition of math but the influences are pretty clear. 

What we have here is a one man project that is based in folk. The sauce starts getting spicy with the heavy introduction of a lot of odd timing, experimentation and some interesting vocal melodies. 

Its a recipe for some wonderful and unique music. Not to be missed

 

Marylin-Rambo - Baleine à Nourrir (2012)

A promising French duo that doesn't fall into the typical pit falls of hard rock duo's. Metal, Math, Punk and good old fashioned RockNRoll blenderized for your listening pleasure.

marylin-rambo

Picnics - See you in Sherwood (2012)

Beautiful dual acoustic folk that flirts with math style rhythms. Picnics is the kind of music that you can really get lost in. Really not much else to say other than if it sounds like your bag then hit it. Quality musics.
See you in sherwood_-_.Bandcamp_