AnimalJam (2018)

Post hardcore blended with the heart of pop-punk and prog rock sensibilities is where Texas based AnimalJAm’s debut release can be found lurking.

I understand there is a bit of this type of music going on these days (in the vein of Dance Gavin Dance, Hail The Sun ect) but where these groups opt often for technicality and raw power, AnimalJam keep things memorable with excellent guitar interplay and a varied vocal approach that goes down smooth.

It’s a perfectly concise release that doesn’t over stay its welcome at 5 tracks. I have to say as well this is pretty well produced and highlights some of the more anthemic moments.

The week in new stuff....

Im a sucker for bakery fresh bread and as such I generally like my music the same....

                                                 

Deerthrone - Broken Mirror
A reminder of simple/tight song writing in a 3 man set up. Its wistful and contemplative mid tempo songs are always engaging. occasionally flirting with math riffage but generally a lyrically driven post-rock/alt rock mood. Just different enough to make a nice impression.

Kairos Theos - Self Titled
For a new group...and at only three strong these Texans make a strong case for their blend of post-hardcore and jazz fusion. Its quick and busy but never needlessly complicated like a lot of young groups these days. Vocals are varied and add a lot to the music. Its certainly an in vogue style but Karios stay true and craft an impressive first release.

Low Cloud - Do You See Me As I See You?
Toronto always seems ripe with interesting tap happy math's.
Memorable and interesting riffs with suitably capable vocals. I'd like to say its the fantastic combination of catchy melodies and winding rhythms that create such a compelling story.

1/5/14 Ithaca NY (The Haunt) Moonstriker, The Changing Light, MTMTM, Yakbak, Alberto Alaska

Hey guys first great show of 2014 alert and its a doozie. Five groups that all run the range from math to punk to psych rock to post hardcore BUT all sharing the common ground of progressive flair. Sadly I can not make it out However that shouldn't stop anyone in the NY, PA or Jersey area's to pop in for this. Its at the always excellent Haunt as well too so plenty of room. click below to get a taste sensation of each group.

MoonStriker (PA) (prog space rock)

The Changing Light (PA) (prog psych post hardcore)

Alberto Alaska (NY) (alt post rock)


MTMTM (NY) (math rock)

Yakbak (NY) (math punkers)

Losses - (DEMO) red intent/untitled (2013)

Vancouver cats Losses have dropped  an atomic warhead of a demo track. You can practically see the teeth on this beast as you're listening. These guys had some incredibly well done demos in 2012 that find themselves in pretty heavy rotation in my life. This new pair of tracks offers a double dose of post hardcore riff racket experimental ambient total hardcore math rock twist. Please go engulf, its just that crazy golden.

RED INTENT/ UNTITLED

Emma Ate the Lion - Songs Two Count Too (2013)

Jesum, this is some incredibly self-assured progressive math. Massachusetts-based Emma Ate the Lion hurl some varied styles at the wall and they paint the picture of a group ready to take on anything. Post-hardcore breaks? Progressive structures? Time changes? Soaring vocals? all here firing in sync. The biggest asset these guys have (aside from everything) is that keyboard/organ player absolutely ripping it hard and dictating each song's next few steps. Vocals firmly throw this in the realm of math-pop but perhaps the most diverse pop I've heard in a dog's day. It's refreshing to hear a group so comfortable in a sound they clearly have crafted for themselves. While the genres are familiar the presentation is captivating to listen to unfold before you.

HIGHLY suggest that everyone with a passing interest in anything music related needs to check this out.
Dare I say this is my new favorite album? Certainly
one to dethrone on this last quarter of 2013.  

EATL (2013)   

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.

Cousin - Alternate Tunings for Regular People (2013)

Apparently it took one more release from this UK trio to really sink into my dome. It has a bit of a 90's throw back feel with chord progression's (reminds me a bit of polvo...slightly) but structurally it follows a more math rock / post hardcore (minor) bent and I just cant argue with that. There's no boring interludes or builds its straight to the excellent riffage, no time wasted. This is something that I can imagine many people diving right into because its that immediate. Solidly crafted stuff.

Indurain - Indurain

Got very little info on this here band.. What I do know is they make some pretty cool tunes. Mostly instrumental bar the odd murmurs and a few shouty moments. Mathy? yep and with that comes a nice dose of noise and a healthy splash of post-hardcore moments. The whole thing has a kind of post-rock to post-metal kinda vibe, though no real build ups with the twists coming in at the right times. They managed to slip this one under the radar too, released all the way back in January '12.. Indurain

Stockades - MONOLITH (2013)

Previously on X-Me....er Plenty of Swords

Australians based post-hardcore mathsters Stockades are almost ready to drop their first official release this June. Should prove to be a banger if this newly released song is any indicator. Great vocals and fantastically noodly guitars are in high order with these peeps so if thats your thing (and it should be) then you gotta peek it up.

Pilgrimage - EP (2013)

Solid state four piece from sunny Florida. I say sunny because in upstate New York we are still in the throws of this death winter, such is life.

Pilgrimage melt genres like a 3 cheese pizza of deliciousness. Structure wise and pacing goes to post-rock. math rock and post hardcore sensibilities round this beauty out. Not overly technical but certainly no slouching here and theres a fair bit of twists and turns to keep your brain alert for predators. Vocals make their presence known and are generally powerful and add a powerful dynamic to the proceedings.

The influences on the shoulder are many but its clearly well loved and cared for by these gentlemen. Worth a gander to be sure.

PLGRMGE

Couteaux - Sail West to Reach The East (2012)

There is just something so beautiful to me about the mix of post-hardcore with math rock. Consider adding in the mix some POP hooks and strong vocals...and...well you've got a group ready for just about anything.

Couteaux seem perfectly at home melting these riff heavy gems around a metal and post rock center. But talk is talk folks and the proof is certainly in this pudding. If its sounding great to you on paper I can assure you that you wont be let down by these guys in the least.

Ridiculous

couteaux

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

Dear Mister Manager - Siegried Vs. the Giant (2012)

If memory serves me one of our swords bloggers played with these guys at some point? not math rock btw but in that progressive rock mind set. Very enjoyable post-hardcore progressive mix from Seattle with nice vocals. Occasionally they get a bit technical but I'd say the hallmark of whats going on here is the song structures. Chckit. 

dear mister manager

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.
___________________________________
 

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 

Midair - Faceache (2012)

Math rock from down south via Richmond Virginia. Midair play an incredibly self assured blend of math rock with a bit of post-hardcore and post-rock leanings. Vocals? yea some of those happen. But these guys have some serious ideas ripping through these songs. Nothing incredibly odd or angular but just great dual guitar interplay with the drums. Some pretty memorable melodic lines as well, thats something I can always get behind. The great thing at least to my ears is that none of this sounds recycled.  Not to only that but their is an ambiguity in the play style that could easily trick me into thinking this could have come from years ago. Strong thumbs up on these hands from this guy. Give em some love.

midair.

Submission Hold Round Up

Hey fellow math monsters just wanted to drop in and share some of our submissions since I haven't been very current. Also yes that is a picture of moon knight. Does there need to be a reason?

Hymmel - post-rock centered maths with electronic sprinkles. a little three trapped tigers vibe? eh a titch perhaps. these gents hail from Kent and do mix stuff up pretty well. 

Apart - Heavy emotional post hardcore with some nicely structured songs. clean and crisp production is always a plus. wish there was a squeech more effort placed into standing apart from others.

La Bibioteca Deserta - 65 days of static sorta sound but still its own deal. Italian electro alt post rock math. check this out pretty cool stuff.

Arms of Tripoli - Nice and moody post rock instrumental math. Has a strong flow to the structures and good sense of melody.

Cecimonster vs Donka - alternative rock with a pop punk beating heart from Peru. Clear, concise and great energy are all here waiting for you.

Dore Mear Beon - pitter patter math rock with programmed drums. I would guess the work of one person. Pretty chill stuff going on. Would love to hear a full band perform this.

Blind Wives - strong QOTSA driving alt rock. slight rhythmic shake ups. Even a bit poppy as far as vocals go.

Foxing - That Philly noodle guitar scream combo many know and love. These guys are from St. Louis however. the right amount of math style drums get thrown in for added effect.

17 Pygmies - keyboard shoegaze prog lite?? sounds more interesting than it is in real life.

Lord - And lastly ending strong we have Portland Oregon's Lord. I had posted them on our facebook page with their first release and they are back. Pure and lovely progressive rock holding hands with math. it's the good stuff we know and love. check it out extremely well done 2nd effort.

Duck. Little Brother, Duck! - Don't Take Our Filth Away (2012)

Hey Kitties.  Its been long enough since these Portland natives have carved post hardcore math out of the earth like enchanted golems.  If your not "in the know" to them I suggest you allow us to enlighten your mind and expand your consciousness....now


Anywho yes this means new Duck. Little Brother, Duck! is here. and from my first few cursory listens I'd say this is going to be one hell of a release.

Don't Take Our Filth Away

Alta - Places (2012)

Like a clean crisp lemonade in the hot summer air, post-hardcore (emphasis on the hardcore here) seems to really hit me hard in these months. Alta is the band that has been lighting up my life recently, and this is why. The cocktail mixture here is mostly post-hardcore as mentioned above with that harder edge going on with the vox. Mathy elements are certainly all over this band but its as integrated as any of its other portions. Really well done musics with a true care for songwriting progression. Emotional and very hard hitting. Post-rock vibes? you feeling them bro? yea you bet your bottom. Awesome four piece from Milwaukee, WI doing it right where many fail.

bandcamp!

Closure in Moscow - First Temple (2009)

      Feel as though this is something I should have been contacted about from someone. Very very well executed amalgam of post hardcore lite with dramatic vocals. Not a stone out of place.  The stand out elements to me which set these Aussie's apart from other similar ilk is pretty inspired instrumentation and above average guitar riffs. Certainly some non standard scale's being thrown in the mix coupled with nice rhythms.

      If i had to throw out some bands that these guys sound like I'd say a alternate universe where Fall out Boy and Fall of Troy give birth.....Fall out of Troy?

First Temple (2012)

Pensioner - Yearlings (2011)

Pensioner from Scotland certainly have caught my attention and others as well. At the base they are a post-hardcore/math rock hybrid that seems to have more fun jamming as many awesome ideas into a song as they can. Vocals are also deliciously present. Here lies a problem with most bands that do employ vocals they tend to play second fiddle...not so here at all. An Incredibly solid release with nothing too technical but some herky jerk rhythms get thrown in out of left field. It keeps you on your feet and you'll frequently be surprised by some of the structural choices going on. Don't worry no surprise gangster rap outro.

I guess you could say its just a really sweet and inspired rock album that is as vocal centric as guitar led. Which I think more bands should try to follow. Here that other bands?

Yearlings (2011)