Year in Review (Part 2) Return of Jafar

Del Paxton - Worst. Summer. Ever.
There was an evolution of my love for this record. It started with initial listens of the first few songs, followed by seeing them live, then the album finished. Interest turned to like transformed to love. This is honest work, alt-emo of the highest order. You can sing along while your shaking your rump and that to me is a hard thing to achieve. all of this while still be impressed by the songwriting chops. I can safely say that bigger and better things are destined for these boys and hopefully more people start taking notice.


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Inside//Outside - Self Titled
This album is many many many wonderful styles gleefully crammed into the body of a  jazz fusion monster. A round of applause because they make this horribly complex music sound like a gorgeous sunday stroll. A true sign for me when an album has so infiltrated my life is when months later it has seeped into my office playlist. It operates as background music when asked or second by second torn apart with intent listening ears. Calming and disorienting within moments. Its in these opposites playing off one another there is built a singular release. I need more of this, please.

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A.M. Overcast - Pellow
Alexander Litinsky lords over the realm of math pop like a restless king. I challenge anyone to find music this year that is so sugar sweet yet has disgustingly sharp corners and mathy tight turns. Its just a whole lot of fun....and whats fun without a large amount of handclaps? Trademark boy girl vocals add to the brew as well Alex's expert kit work. Makes a man want to cuddle up with a pellow.




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Viridians - (sp) arrows EP
From the first few notes I was hooked to the tune of 23 listens in the first night I stumbled on this album. It hasn't left my side since. Why? Its gotta be those vocals man, including those stunning harmonies and thats not a trait most post hardcore math rock can boast for sure. However, the instrumental portion is so on step that it just clicks with something deep within my soul.  Thats the largest compliment I can pull out really so if you haven't educated yourself on this then redemption is only a click away.

Grand Beach - May Long (2012)

Lets face the facts that we are just in a holding pattern for one of Alexander Litinsky's math rock projects to explode. Name not familiar? Shameful. Alex is AM Overcast and has just recently released the very excellent math pop gem "Pellow" Thats it you say? NAY Alex also plays in the more "formal" math rock demons L'viv. So along with these two projects we also have a short EP going by the name of Grand Beach who are poised to release a brand new banger on our faces this upcoming new year.

Its a bit similar to AM in its approach to math but has more of a collaborative feel (obviously) these two tracks from 2012 are great but I think we can bank on the fact that its going to be a scorcher. Alex is possibly the best artist going right now that can hold the pop influences close while still laying down massive time shifts and great riffage. If your interested in hearing some more personal aspects one of our members also recently sat down with Alex. Keep your eyes peeled for this danger cat.

GB

Interview with A.M. Overcast's Alexander Litinsky

Album artwork for Pellow, A.M. Overcast's latest release

Alexander Litinsky created A.M. Overcast as a solo project for an explorative multi-instrumentalist.  In this first of a new interview series on Plenty of Swords, I got to know more about Alex's various musical projects, writing process, and performances in unlikely locations. Catch him at a show and you'll find out that the lighthearted, polite Canadian stereotype is not lost, even on the twentysomething indie musician.

P.o.S: So, lets start with basic stuff. I mean, I know your name, but tell me your name, how old are you and where exactly are you from?

AL: I am Alex Litinsky, I am 23.. I think. Yeah, 23. It's funny, man, you hit 20 and it just all just goes out the window.

I'm also 23, actually, and sometimes I find I have to think about it before answering. 

But, yeah, I'm from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada - born and raised. Never really moved around, I'd like to though. We just got snow yesterday. 

Did you? Wow, it's like hot here. 

Yeah we got a bunch of slushy snow, it just sucks. Summer's never gonna come. 

Yeah, you're probably tired of it. I mean, a couple hours north of here has snow until around April or May. So why don't you, if you can bring it all to mind, give me a rundown of your gear?

A.M. Overcast - Pellow (2013)

Perhaps the most shining example of modern math-pop. A.M. Overcast has been a beacon of perfection throughout the years. I say its about damn time Alexander Litinsky gets some solid Cred from the community. This is an (albeit short) but great introduction to his brand of off kilter pop mayhem.

I would say Shepherd Moon is a little more ambitious but "Pellow" certainly has a more pop centered goal..and thats perfectly fine.

Realistically though if you've never heard then your missing out and should seek out any and all.

pellow