JETPACK - S/T - 1999

This fall, I started playing with a few dudes from Sick Electric (Haywire is one of my favorite albums).  They’ve been around playing music for a little longer than I have.  Jimmy (the guitarist/vocalist) knows I’m pretty deep into the maths, and he dropped a major nugget on me:  Jetpack’s one and only full-length album, released in 1999. 

“Who is Jetpack?”, you may ask.  Jetpack is Keith Souza’s band from the late ‘90s.  “OK, but who is Keith Souza?” 

Well:  have you heard Battles’s Mirrored?  Fang Island’s Fang Island?  The Body?  The Psychic Paramount?  Lightning Bolt?  Neptune?  Daughters?  Tyondai Braxton’s Central Market?  Six Finger Satellite?  The Chinese Stars?  Yeah.  Keith Souza recorded all of those at his studio, Machines with Magnets. 

“Well that’s all well and good, but what does the thing actually sound like?”  You’re pretty insistent with the questions there, chief.  But trust me, the thing sounds fucking awesome.  Angular riffs.  Fuzz bass.  Strained vocal harmonies.  Weird songs.  Snaky grooves.  You’re gonna want to listen to this thing over and over and over and over and over. 

Jetpack has no internet presence whatsoever, and it seems like the only way to get this sweet, sweet album is through your good friends at Plenty of Swords!

So get to it, already! 

Phantom Tollbooth - Power Toy (1988)

I understand December is typically for yearly lists but you won't catch one on this site from me. Possibly a few albums that have had staying power but nope sorry take your pitchfork elsewhere for a list. So I'll do you one better and reflect back  into the early years. Truly not enough people these days want to speak about formative bands in math rock these days. One of many such groups is the interestingly named Phantom Tollbooth (after a famous childrens book...if your not familiar its a good read for anyone). Extremely active and prolific in their relatively short life span (1984-1988)  these guys threw down some fairly left field music for the time. A generous mix of post-punk, noise, art rock and the ever important jazz element made Tollbooth a crazy fast ever shifting group to nail down. If that description sounds a bit like your used to thats because at times it certainly smacks of math rock.

Take a listen to the song "Crash Mode" and you'll begin to see what I mean. They were contemporaries of all the hallowed groups from the 80's (Sonic Youth, Mission of Burma, Minutemen ect) and were on the excellent Homestead label (Big Black, Bastro, Seam, Dinosaur Jr. among many other wonderful groups) "Power Toy" was their last album in 1988 and is arguably their best which would be a great starting point if your just coming into them. Robert Pollard (of Guided by Voices) famously commissioned the nixing of all vocals from Power Toy and recorded his own with new lyrics with it being called "Beard of Lightning" in 2003...strange.

Hey Predator! - "Foxholes and Atheists and so Forth" (2010)

Hey Predator! hail from our northern brothers in Montreal. Yes this is an older release but it is an absolutely vital one. Extremely forwarding thinking post-punk with a lot of delicious twists and turns. High energy is the name of the game with these guys not to mention vocals which are equally as engaging. Reminds me a bit another Canadian group North of America. Which shouldn't be too surprising as NoA are a huge influence on a lot of the post-punk/post hardcore math we enjoy (ie Cinemechanica).  I was discussing these guys with Dave from Gulfer (who has an intense knowledge base of all thing math to rock) he informed me these cats are now in the very excellent group Girl Arm.

So I suppose what im getting at is you absolutely need to verse yourself in the Stack Your Roster....er ugh roster. Montreal has one of the most interesting progressive scenes going right now and itd be a shame to miss anything they have going. plus come on they re-released Them Roaring Twenties!


heypredator

Radiant Republic - Three Against Four (2013)

Miss me? well shoot I missed yall.

Things have been kinda crazy over at casa d'acerola so without further rambling I have to say I have been enchanted for a bit with the fine groups on Sick Room Records. Why should all you fine people of discerning taste care? Well let'ss just say that it's run by former Sweep the Leg Johnny members; that should be enough to get you to listen to anything and everything going on there.

One such group, Radiant Republic, is doing a hell of a job revamping some old discord-era sounds and spinning them into a much noisier and mathier arrangement. Singing is a little plain jane but you ain't riding this pony for soaring power ballad vox, just sweet sweet twists and turns. It's great to hear a self-assured group playing their own way and making sure that pants get rocked in the process. Huge win on this one.

RR

Unicornibot - Mambotron (2013)

Spanish math served up with an alt-rock bent. The time changes are seamlessly integrated into the package making it a blast to listen to. Unicornibot (aside from a name that's a bit difficult to pronounce) have a familiar feel, almost a throwback sound in a way. Must say they do very much play by their own rules however. Some pretty neat riff interplay and drums as well.

El Hombre Trajeado - Shlap (2004)

Dialing back the clock a bit for y'all because it occurs to me that maybe people are not aware of these guys. There's a lot of focus placed (understandably so) on newer groups these days and it's important to gain perspective. Glasgow-based post-punk math rock group El Hombre Trajeado are an incredibly groovy and original sounding band who shut their doors in 2006. When I say original I mean that they certainly try some more left field stuff than a lot of groups these days. I highly suggest everyone grab all of their releases via bandcamp which they've made available to the public.

Los Piedra - Antiperro (2009)

 

Something pretty fun that certainly wont win any originality awards

post-punk vibe with math

again wont light your house on fire but then again prolly not a good idea anyway.

Druk - Compostélion (2013)

Here's a promise for you, first five seconds of this and you'll be hooked.

Druk are an instrumental math rock band from Mexico.  Surprisingly a three piece for the amount of amazing noise these guys create. Lots of tight turns to be had here folks. Some honest to god hooky alt/post punk/metal tinged riffing from the the stellar guitar work. We can also talk the jazz/prog elements but theres no need to dissect any further as this will hit all of your pleasure centers. Seriously this one caught me on the jaw..wasn't at all prepared but I am loving every minute. Not to worry because these guys never stay in one place for two long. 

Something sounded cool 15 seconds ago? they bring it back 3 minutes later or mutate it a bit. 

Brilliance. Pure. Brilliance.

Highly Recommended

An Anderson - Parts (2013)

Let me start by saying that Art rock is sadly not represented enough in math rock these days. 

An Anderson perfectly bridge discordant guitars and post-punk sensibilities into the herky jerk rhythms we crave.  

The point of failure in most art rock is cranking the guitar knob to "annoyingly abrasive". 

An Anderson balance some pretty inspired riffage with pop undertones to avoid this problem altogether. The post-punk vibe going on always lends itself well to labyrinthine structures and so ends the other piece to this pretty incredible pie. 

parts

Year End Round Up (part 1)

This is by no means a post to down play the sweetness of any of the groups below. All of these fine releases have been on my person for a spell and as 2012 comes to an end I need to have some closure. This will be a multi-part post and continue through December.

side bar: why is there not a band called "progressive knife"?

Mayors of Miyazaki 
dropped a nice little split with death pedal's in Nov. I keep coming back to their brazen all out attack. Punchy production and some nice shouty math's. watch these kittens
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Little Hunts
is a one man effort that indulges more the post rock end of the math spectrum but certainly no less exciting for it. Jamie Darken weaves some pretty interesting math rock twists in what seems to be his first outing. Really interesting and strong ideas. However I could really use some live drums. 

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Neur
Has a really nice mix of driving post-punk, indie rock and math rock. mixing and matching where needed to great effect. Really tidy little EP that proves a lot in its 6 track length. Well done vocals as well. Some left field moments really spice this outing up and have me highly excited for something new. Must Have. Must Have. 2010 you say? yea well I cant be on time to every party.

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Carson Wells - Wonderkid (2012)

First off before I dive in I would like to just say that I appreciate all the awesome posting thats been going on here at the swords in my absence (heres looking at you twinzy) I have just arrived back from spending a week out of the country with my family to get married in the Bahamas which was truly a one of a kind experience.

Scotland based Carson Wells seems to split the difference between a sort of energized post punk with melodic screaming and more technical math rock style especially with the drums (a plus). Very solid songs where every instrument is doing something vital and awesome at all times. It has a bit of a post rocky vibe as well but not much.Trust me when I say if you spend any time with these guys you wont regret it in the least.


carsonwells

You've got your Dance Pop in my Math Rock

As you could guess by the title these are groups that utilize dance elements along with some mathy leanings. I make no such claims that this is a comprehensive list and these are just a couple groups that I haven't mentioned before that are worth noting. Be aware that the term "math" in this instance is very loose and as such typically only feature portions of the genre....enjoy fellows and fellettes.

Moscow based post punk mathy dancers "Please Dance Hell Bear" drop some dance floor knowledge. Is this revolutionary? eh this kinda thing usually isn't but it grooves
pleasedancehellbear
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Paris electro math popsters with a penchant for danceable rhythms.
 meetmeatthelighthouse

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Pennsylvania indie pop post punk with a titch of shimmy shaking.
edelweiss

Self-Evident - Endings (2009)

New album out. Clicky the bandcamp link. Back to you CJ...
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1 litre Don Cab, a dash of Shipping News, half a cup of Faraquet, 34grams Japandi and a sprinkle or two of  Tool or A Perfect Circle maybe?!

Every track on this is a gem. Some great live vids on Youtube too!

A math-rock fav of mine! this album never grows old on me. Can't wait for their new release later this year on the wonderful Stiff Slack Records.

DOWNLOAD
BANDCAMP

Paper Mice - Paint it Pink (2009)

Chicago, a name that is notorious for post-rock also houses the ever energetic Paper Mice. A power trio in every sense of the word. This is tightly tidy twitchy post punk group with a healthy dallop of the Math Rock we crave on a daily basis. I use the word tidy above because these guys keeps things generally around the 2 minute mark or less. It's a great way to really condense everything down to the best of the rest. Twitchy? well they tend to stop on a dime (frequently), pick it up, chew it around in their mouth and spit out gold.  Vocals are also pretty prominent and only add an extra dimension to the otherwise bonkers punk experience. GREEEAAAT stuff gentleladymens. 

Can not forgot to mention that they will be playing along with Our Daily Fix and Mouth to Mouth to Mouth.  http://www.facebook.com/events/402437086473256/
If anyone is even considering coming out to Ithaca NY, I promise it will be a wonderous show

Not to mention.. DIONAEA is playing that Sunday!
http://www.facebook.com/events/325861787497140/

Should prove to be a lovely weekend :)

Paint it Pink

X-Ray Press - UVB-76 (2011)

The moment that you stop caring what a group sounds like and give in to the album that the band has presented you with is when everything comes into focus. Most math-rock fails utterly in this respect, throwing a series of exercises in instrumental prowess flecked with heart pulls. That is what we except as a great math album but it doesn't have to be this way. X-Ray Press gives us an alternative. The album as a whole is dangerously brilliant and sequenced better than i've seen a group tackle in a long spell. The obvious question and one I really wanted to distance myself from was tagging this. This is a great rock album updated for 2011 to appeal in an impressive way to those that enjoy unique instrumentation and tasteful vocals. (my answer)  The answer you likely want is that this sounds like progressive post-punk math rock blanketed with a disjointed 90's indie rock bent.  I feel like this tag really cheapens what these guys have going but if you needed that then there it is.  The guitars and keyboards are frequently distorted and from song to song take great joy in never settling for any specific style.  You can tell there is a deep love of prog going down but stripped of straight up technicality and pomp help this go down smooth. The ensuing jagged structures are made tuneful with the help of really great vocals.  In the end its hard exactly to tell who's doing the coolest thing in a song. I strongly urge everyone to take the time and sit with these all the way through. I feel like a lot of times im guilty of blasting through so much music that you really miss those groups that are trying to get you to sit and take in their story.  My ears are all yours X-Ray Press. I suggested you all do some ear lending as well.

UVB-76 (2011)

Native - Wrestling Moves

A band that had the promise of dazzling the ball nut out of us with their 2009 release Wrestling Moves.  Well I guess this is how I felt at least based on the single "What Are You Dylan In My House?" from their first ep "We Delete, We Erase". That song had blistering guitar and drums that sounded like the train was about to come off rails before kick-ass station. Their sound is one that isn't really heavily saturated in the math rock "scene" if you even want to go that route. Its a post-punk/post-hardcore style of math rock with some shout style vocals. Sadly drums are not front and center because they are frequently inspired. It's a solid outing and these guys work well when the vocals are turned down and the guitars get some room to breath and play memorable licks. Maybe not something everyone will like but when the mood strikes it hits the spot.


We Delete, We Erase

Wrestling Moves (2009)

Drummers - Self-Titled (2011)

With a name like "Drummers," you might expect a sound with more than one drummer, guitarists who play their instruments percussively, or some jaw-dropping stick work. Although none of this is evident on Drummers' debut LP, it is a pretty solid post-hardcore/post-punk/screamo/whateverthekidsarecallingitthesedays effort. Guitars jangle, crunch, and drive throughout, punctuated by rich screamo vocals. The production has an interesting gritty quality that works pretty well stylistically. Drummers are at their best playing catchy, rhythmically interesting music. Some of the deeper cuts are clunkers, but some uninspired chugging and failed experiments are to be expected with any fledgling band's debut. Looking forward to more from these guys.

Drummers' self-titled debut is available to download for free at their Bandcamp.

The Fire Show - Saint The Fire Show

      Sometimes a bands last effort can be a trans-formative affair.  Other times it finds them run down and beaten into the ground.  All I have to say is thank god for this swan song by The Fire Show.  Sadly, for as much press in online publications that this band has received they were forgotten by time even before they went there separate ways.  I hope to let more know of this great album.
     A post-punk band in the loosest of definitions, Seth Kim-Cohen and Michael Lenzi make a beautifully controlled racket on Saint the Fire Show.  With Brian Deck (Califone) behind the boards you know your going to get some excellent percussion sounds.  Programed drums along with live kit playing, introspective lyrics, sampling, buzz saw guitar and a low end that provides a thundering bed for the rest to flow on is the area which these boys inhabit.  This is certainly not your daddies post-punk.  If your wondering as a point of reference musically it  has shades of Wire, Public Image LTD and This Heat sprinkled throughout.
     This release is always on rotation for me and for a lot of people i show this to it remains the same.  I really can not say enough good things about this release.  It is truly a portrait of a band at its creative peak and would beg to question “where would the band go from here” I am somewhat thankful I dont know the answer because cliche or not it really doesn’t get much better this high on the mountain.

 Saint The Fire Show