Japandi

Japandi (of San Diego) reminds me very much of their over sea's Japanese math brethren.

(WARNING mass generalization)
I mean that they are hyper tight but might not pull on the creativity strings to hard.

As far as a counterpart here I'd say they remind me of Sleeping People. Their first release plays it very safe. They use really nice melodies and keep the angular chords to a complete minimal, no tap tap here folks.  While it may not sound too exciting, stick with them and you will come to love them.  They just dropped their second release and I've got to say my opinion has changed more than I thought possible.

Decorative Duck makes damn sure you wait for the moments that they are going to come together and give you what you want. It takes more joy in the rhythmic side of things and plays all the better for it. More aggressive and angular but in a completely tasty way. I may be critical of them but its only because I really do love them. I know you will too.


The Great Dinosaur Mystery

Decorative Duck

Fever Sleeves - Soft Pipes, Play On

Post-Hardcore Math Pop (that knows how to have a good time)

Figured Id stay with the San Diego Math since yesterday was Stage Kids. These gents meld occasionally harsh guitar with some fairly poppy vocals and excellent drumming.  You can tell they have a love of many different kinds of music as some fun punk or electronic things crop up. Yes I do love glockenspiel, why thank you by the way. Wont light your curtains on fire but will keep your feet warm at night.

Soft Pipes, Play On

Sleeping People

Math-Rock

 San Diego instrumental rock group with atypical song structures, dissonant guitar riffs and time signature changes (read: math rock) These guys and gals have a great way of moving through a song. Its a very organic flow that allows each instrument time to breath and for the listener to focus on each instrument. Moving into new passages entails one instrument changing for a few bars then the other instruments follow. It sounds like a cheap way to work but it keeps the songs exciting and unlike some groups really gives you a chance to appreciate the excellent riffs. Drums and bass are frequently locked and yet always stay interesting. The first release is a lot more scatter shot (yet sometimes more interesting) Growing is all about the progression and is a tighter venture for it. Both worthy of looks.

Bonus Points: The excellent "People Staying Awake" (last track on Growing) features vocals from what super awesome indie rock gent?

Hint: last name is a type of bird

Sleeping People

Growing (2007)