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.

Year End Round Up (Part 3)

Thrice

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The Parlor Secret  

Bring in the pastoral post-math rock by way of a drum and guitar duo. Really chilled sounds even when the tempo heats up a bit. Is it a coincidence one of these songs is named "My Little Viking"? hmm I'll let you be the judge. 

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Bearded Youth Quest

Provide some serious instrumental math magic. Nice and Energetic vibe's and some solid melodies running through this beast. Be sure to check out their last release as well.  UK based with enough to ground them in some similar style groups while still maintaining their own sound. Golden.

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 Comma

Rock and Roll doused with chain mail of math and helm of indie experimental. Really enjoying these guys lately. Vocals as well are a bit different yet mesh surprisingly well. warning as well your going to have a bit of awesome drumming occurring, watch your faces. 

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Nitkowski

Lovely and disjointed math-prog with a surprisingly decent sense of melody. Interested in Rhythmic changes? yea ugh this is whats up. Never in danger however to come apart at the seems just really impressive songwriting.  Their bandcamp states "No feckin tappin or slappin" fair enough im in. 

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Adults, The Elderly and Children

Math-pop by way of the UK good stuff. I dare you to listen to this and not enjoy. Not a really great dare I know. 

.fin.

  

Year End Round Up (Part 2)

Part Deux....
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Sodalane
as far as I can tell is a one man affair that skirts the line between some pastoral indie rock, math rock and even a dash of post-hardcore lite. Really an incredibly solid release and has just the right amount of originality to set it apart from the pack. Always interesting with some pretty unpredictable moments in their for the ADD crowd. Myself included. 

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Delicious Death
Have I mentioned this one man effort before? Its been a favorite of mine since I first heard. A really great continuation of Damiera style songcraft. An instrumental version however. Must hear.
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Willow
Super energetic math rock to get you moving. Strong and busy sound for a three piece. These Rhode Island Native's newest on their bandcamp has added some more textural dynamics and singing which only makes them all the better for it 

Ribbons - The Return of RBZ (2012)

 Very pastoral math rock with a high attention not only to the instruments but the very excellent vocals. Maybe even a little post-emo? eh its just quality stuff in these all to short four songs.  Call me a sucker but  I am always attracted to these one man projections. Matt Kiefer does a brilliant job of balancing all of the elements and creating a highly engaging package. This cup is full ladies and gents do not miss this one.

RIBBONS

Pastoral - Pastoral

FIRST OFF:
The reader submission's around here are really starting to blow my face off... sincerely appreciate all the email's, keep em coming guys and gals.

So lets speak about a musical venture from California.  A one man affair played by one, Zachary Thachet. Chances are strong that at its base you've heard this instrumental post rock/math before (this is not a negative). Think Kinsella...the Mike variety.  Nothing too technical but just that right amount of skill and rhythmic change that keep you on your toe's. It is unique however in a couple of exciting ways. Zach has an admitted love of finger style acoustic music and the acoustic guitars in Pastoral are a delightful tribute to the giants of the genre. Not so much in style or speed but in spirit.  I'm always shocked more bands don't use acoustic guitars for this sort of music, it really just makes sense.  This is some brilliantly executed solo bizz that I could see evolving even further either into full band territory or deeper into solo town. Production is incredibly solid as well here.  If your looking for something calming for the night then you should look no further. Some strong ideas going on with this one.

hit dat linkage for the downlowd :)
Pastoral