LORD - III (2013)

Improving by superhuman leaps and bounds between releases, Portland's LORD is proving themselves to be a heavy contender in the realm of math rock.

I'm finally getting a chance to sit with it and man it's a damn beast — monster riffs and fleet-limbed drumming for the main course, but that's not all. The key here is the composition, keeping things driving forward while not being afraid to revisit ideas that worked earlier in spots.

These guys have made some serious headway and in my estimation it's because some of the extraneous prog-flam-jam has been toned down a titch, resulting in a greater focus on the deadly metal-influenced riff work. And for those that are truly interested in a burner of a song, sink your fangs into the last track. (I want them as the soundtrack for the next Castlevania game, hope you're reading Konami scouts.)

Breezin - EP

Portland Oregon's Breezin starts their EP off innocently enough with a sprinkle of cute keyboard lines and playful melodies. Then...it happens....the bass and drums enter and the proceedings become chaotic prog math workouts.  Its worth taking note that the most impressive item here is the fact that no matter how bonkers these guys get the vocals remain pretty pop to the core.

.....Listen to that bass....

seriously just listen to it fly all over the damn place....

I will say I wish the mix was a little kinder to the bass sound so we could hear those angular stabs and dagger knife turns better.  Cute and dangerous like a kittens head on a snakes body.

breezin ep

The Joggers - With a Cape and a Cane / Solid Guild

 Angular 90's garage rock with alternate tunings.  Owing much to pioneers and masters alike such as Archers of Loaf and especially Polvo, even still this Portland Oregon group most assuredly make songs that could only come from them. The best songs honestly have that sort of high energy missing occationally from other bands who use alternate tunings. Solid Guild their first full length really busts out the vocal harmonies in such a way that even the most hardened skeptic would be impressed. With a Cape and a Cane the group really break out furthering the guitar into middle eastern territory while also dialing up the speed when needed. All in all this is garage rock that has been twisted into some kind of jagged odd sounding beast. Its more than worth checking out and has remained a staple in my listening for years.   


 With a Cape and a Cane

Solid Guild