8/10/13 Ithaca NY : Del Paxton, Vasudeva, Gulfer, Cattle Drums

It's difficult for me to put into words the feeling that you get by being constantly blown away by incredibly talented and passionate bands, ones seen before and anticipated; high-fives, hugs, jumping, and dancing were pouring out of the wood work in Ithaca last night.

Buffalo's very own Del Paxton (ex-Beach Parade) opened the proceedings with their precision take on 90's emo with some math rock flirtations. For them being such a new group you'd be hard pressed to tell at all. Great use of vocals and occasional harmonies, which I'm always a sucker for. While not normally my genre of choice, it's a testament to the excellent songwriting and powerfully inspired kit work of these lovely gentleman that have me excited for their bright future. (video from the show)

Vasudeva (NJ) — in some sort of mind reading tactic — played my FAVORITE song of their's off  2011's Roots of the Tree, "Back to the Feeding Ground". It honest-to-christmas-christ took me a full 45 seconds to recover after being blasted by such a lush and full sound in that wonderful basement. Huge amount of energy and tons of fun to watch. If you're not familiar, soundwise we're talking busy instrumental post-math with lots of glorious tapping. Wasn't super familiar with their new material, but just like their last release there are a large amount of  melodic leads and impossible tapping passages with powerful drums. (video from the show)

Hailing from Montreal came Gulfer, who have been on my radar since their split with the lovely Fago Sepia. Hugely excited to finally see them in action and there was no disappointment at all — faaaaar from it. Math rock at its finest to be frank. Tight turns were navigated deftly by bass and drums, while the guitar seemed split between clean strumming and knotty tap workouts. It's in the variety of their songwriting that I have always loved Gulfer. They show their strengths well, moving from jazz influence to indie rock to harder breakdowns, but always with a grounding sense that never brings you too far from them. It's technical for sure, but never makes you feel weighted down. (video from the show)

And lastly... Cattle Drums. Third time seeing them, and each and every time I am even more blown away than the last. It is no exaggeration: they are the band to beat in any genre right now. The level of emotional connection they bring is second to none. Why, you may be ask? Well, lyrically there is no comparison. Think spoken word stream of consciousness that is a mix of philosophical musings crossed with bathroom scrawlings that can be profound and anthemic in the same moment (sometimes tragically inane). While this is happening, guitarist Gulab Singh is laying down some of the rawest riffage I can think of in twenty-thirteen.  Stopping and starting when needed and holding on to an especially awesome lick for exactly the right amount of time, followed closely by relentlessly busy drumming. A mutant mix of dirty punk, metal, math rock and indie rock. Either aspect by itself would be more than enough for two bands but smashed into one is like watching the opposite of a train wreck. It was a burner of a set for sure. (video from the show)

A large thank you to my good friend Bubba from Ithaca Underground who was instrumental in this coming together as well.

Calcius Repton - Futari (2010)

Breath in the majestic sounds of two piece bass and drums. Think you know what it sounds like already? consider that you are very possibly wrong and dive in. What we have on display is some incredibly deft bass guitar playing that seems to take much joy in blurring the lines between prog, math and funk. Great twists and turns to be had here as well some pretty melodically memorable moments. What about the drums? no worries because they are totally on par ripping up the landscape. A must have for any fan of highly technical music.  Stellar.

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

Hello Jupiter - Do I Dare.. (2012)

These three gentlemen have managed to release a formidable EP here. Truthfully I've been holding this one close to my chest...its a stunner. Surprised I haven't seen more math bro's hoisting the main sails for this. Technical instrumentally without being annoying?, check.  This is even pretty vocal heavy as well and as you could guess its floats without a hitch. Maybe what I appreciate most is its very obvious restless nature. From point to point pleasantly wonderful curveballs get thrown in but they never seem out of place. Stop and listen, it's been a minute since I've taken in something this assured in the math pop/rock realm. 

do-i-dare

ps: that freaking first song....jesust so good.

Hella

  2 piece intricate math-rock

Updation: Tripper (2011)
A long awaited return to form for the group now stripped of their full band format. The guitar's are actually darker than previous releases and rely more on Hill's drums for technical support. Structure wise I wish I could say that its just as crazy as earlier releases but time away must have calmed their restless nature. It's actually a welcome progression for the group even though I really loved Spencer's take on that video game guitar sound. Very interested to know other peoples take on this.

_________________________________________________

What do you get when you take two gentlemen that have been playing together since high school and add an enormous amount of technical skill? Well it appears you end up with Sacramento Cal. own Hella. Their sound is always a furious attack of off time video game inspired mayhem. Anyone who is even remotely familiar with the genre knows that these gentlemen are at the top of the pack.While there are groups that try and crib their sound, they are singular in composition and skill. Past incarnations of Hella has swelled their numbers but they are almost always better stripped to core members Spencer Seim and Zach Hill. Hill's drumming is almost talked about more than the actual group and even a focus of division among some. There is nothing standard about his playing style. Seemingly an almost disregard for any traditional 4/4 beat structure and even if payed close enough attention plays out of time with Spencer's guitar in select places. Listen and Enjoy.

Hold Your Horse Is

City of Ifa - Blue Shoes (2011)

I had stumbled on this Orlando, Florida three piece awhile ago with their first EP. Very raw, lots of young talent, technical and very directionless. It was soon cast off into the void that is many albums that cross my ear holes. Fast forward a few releases and City of Ifa are a band in contention for the best Fall of Troy esque group. Truthfully this is not fair to say but the comparison is apt in a few general ways. They both travel in that riff driven post-hardcore math rock with soaring vocals. I'm here to tell you however that Ifa is heads better than the now defunct Fall of Troy (and who really cared much about their last release anyway?) These are highly technical rock songs with clear structural goals and if your small tender brain can wrap your head around the sweet ass twisting riffs well your in for a treat.  Surprisingly great vocals going on as well again. HIGH recommendation on this one folks.  I know no one has anything better to do on a Sunday anyway sooooooo listen away.


Blue Shoes (2011)

(Updation) Tangled Thoughts of Leaving - Deaden the Fields (2011)

Previously Posted Feb 7th

: Tangled Thoughts of Leaving have been a constant source of extremely unique Experimental Math/Jazz Rock. They are also singular in the fact that they feature out front the not so often used piano for Math influenced tunes. With their 2011 release "Deaden the Fields" the broken and technical style that they hold as their own has been sharpened to a razor point on this release. The rough edges of odd breaks and occasional technicality without purpose has been sanded down into an amazingly epic release. As such when the fat gets trimmed off the bone you usually run the risk of taking some meat with it too. "Deaden the Fields" loses any such semblance of grind that the band initially started with which is a shame. Don't let that deter you from the old snatch and grab. You wont find this to be a double jump into new territory for these Australian gentlemen but bet on the fact that this really is as good as it gets for this particular style. Enjoy.

Deaden The Fields (2011)
 

Time of Orchids - Namesake Caution (2007)

There is some division here at The Swords over this group, but I'm here to say while not a large fan of past releases 2007's Namesake Caution has some honest to Christmas amazing songs going on. Time of Orchids during their....time were a group very in love with classic prog rock and putting a modern day spin on it. Guitar's play off key melodies as much as they play catchy progressions but they are usually always met with the opposite vocal treatment. Vocals are very often layered with odd harmonies on top but its a technique that works and really gives it that throwback progressive sound. Its a balanced way of carrying out their songs and even a few times the two end up meeting for some actual moments of melodic harmony. Things do tend to get a bit technical but it never sounds ends up sounding academic.  With most things progressive though without proper song structure things can fall into the indulgent rather quickly with nothing to hold you. There are plenty of intelligent twists and turns to keep you engaged thankfully. I can not however say these guys are for everyone. Just something you'll have to figure out on your own. You know where I stand at least.



Namesake Caution (2007)

Colossal - Welcome the Problems (2004)

This is one of those albums that helped push a lot of what we have today in the "emo" math rock area. I mean no disrespect either when I use that tag. Sadly it was over used in the past to the point of having either no meaning at all or being derogatory.   These five from Illinois play a music indebted to post-rock, pop-punk, pop and math rock. Their influences take different roles on different songs making them a highly versatile group. Without their song structures however they would be not even half as good. Instrumentation runs fairly technical without ever getting too showy.  The appearance of brass on a few songs makes perfect sense as well. Vocals are actually used when necessary and by no means a central figure. I love this album because there is always something new I find that I like. Not that its dense but that it offers a lot. If your not familiar and enjoy breathing and people playing music I'd say your best bet would be have a gander.

Welcome the Problems (2004)

This Town Needs Guns - Animals

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 Speaking of our overseas English brothers, here we have the much lauded This Town Needs Guns. If you're not familiar well think an American Football feel with the waking ghost of Victor Villarreal on guitar. If this still leaves you scratching your head then I will go one step further.  Pretty breezy yet technical math rock with some pretty soaring vocals. Its really in the vocals that I could live without but there are places that they are memorable. Instrumentation though is the shining star and they do a very good job of separating themselves from the pack.  In my opinion (though who gives a flying junk) they are a bit over rated, still extremely good but seems like a lot of people are losing their nuts over them. 

Animals 

*Also as an odd addition i swear a couple guitar riffs remind me of incubus....even though ive collectively heard maybe 1/2 a song by them. strange i know. 

Kidcrash - Jokes (2007)

Throughout there life span Kidcrash has had the pleasure of morphing their sound slightly with each release. In the end though they are mostly categorized under the blanket term post-hardcore. Extremely energetic and technical with some nice shouting vocals. Mathy with sharp edges. They have many releases but this has to be the most solid in the end. Normally this kind of stuff is a little off putting but kidcrash manages to up the technicality and lower the dramatic wailings often attributed to screamo/emo.....or dare I mention the term "skramz" blah. By the way someone tell me since when it is ok  that everyone and there brother now gets to make up genre names and they suddenly become legit. Wizard-core? gimme a break

Also a thank you Ninko for tearing shit up lately on the swords. May the mother bird float down and bestow you with golden fruit snacks of love.

Jokes (2007)

Toe

Since acerola posted Mouse on the Keys, which I have been digging immensely the last few days, I have wanted to put up some Toe, another instrumental band that Mouse reminded me of. Toe are just as technically tight as Mouse, and their drummer is outrageous. He comes up with such intricate, effortless beats; when you watch him it makes you feel like anyone could play drums.

This is a track off The Book About My Idle Plot On A Vague Anxiety

Genghis Tron

Ambient Electronic Grindcore

Switching gears for a moment, Poughkeepsie, NY's "cybergrind" trio has certainly been a band to watch for awhile now. Melding elements of Metal, grindcore, electronic drums and ambient atmospherics its a unique group that knows how to mix the harsh with the strange industrial calm. Technical guitar with plenty of odd time changes thrown in. Lots of sampling but enough live instrumentation to augment this. Vocals run to the hardcore screaming variety but it fits the music well. Any fan of metal should check this out.

Dead Mountain Mouth

Board Up The House

Malegoat

Alt. math emo rock

This is an extremely tight group that really displays not only a large level of technicality but also good structure and great melody. The vocals are usually shouted melodically as well. As a matter of personal opinion the japanese math groups just seem way tighter than our own. High energy is great to see as a lot of the newer groups seem far too sleepy to me. This group gets compared endlessly to Algernon Cadwallader....what a lazy comparison. They are almost nothing alike other than they both are fond of odd time changes. Malegoat comes out on top always.

 Plan Infiltration

To Face the Music

Sajjanu - Pechiku

Already seasoned veterans of the Japanese progressive scene in other groups, Sajjanu carries on ideas and styles frequented by their geographical brethren Ruins.  My previous post on Nuito as well shares many similarities although Nuito are certainly the more grounded rock band if you can even say that.  This is classification wise spazzed out complex jazz-math. An interesting component here is no lead instrument being focused on which makes it that much easier for the songs to breath and shift. This is a sound of a band that is having fun while simultaneously charting time changes and abrupt pauses. Most technical groups are a heavy handed sort and strive for some sort of emotional charge that never comes.  You can tell by the chords chosen that the band is fully aware of this aspect, playful but not twinkly. Songs can run into one another and you cant exactly hold onto a riff without it being torn out from under you. After its over your left impressed yet without an exact memory of parts. This however is never the point of such ventures.
   


PECHIKU!