Renaissance Sound - Renaissance Sound (2012)

Illinois group made up of former members of Loose Lips Sink Ships. This is a bit of a departure here from the formers math happy tap a thon. Renaissance Sound dish out heaping helping's of instrumental Jazz rock/Math rock with an almost a lounge quality. My favorite portion has to be the vibraphone and violin working together or playing at odds with one another. Its makes for some beautiful moments where all instruments are fighting for their own spotlight. When its hard to pay too close attention to one thing because everyone is doing something amazing you know that you've hit straight gold. Did I forget to mention there's occasional vocals? yep  and they are sweet sauce. Do it for yourself this is a group that will produce a great many wonderful things in the future.

ps. track 2 "dereks journey" at 1:15 I swear that bass line sounds eerily similar to the bass line in  "Penelope" by Pinback.

Band Camp it up!

Jaga Jazzist - One Armed Bandit (2010)

A Norwegian jazz ensemble that has a clear passion for electro-jazz kings Tortoise. They even have a small obsession with the vibraphone like Tortoise does! This of course can be excused instantly as the vibraphone is awesome. But thats really only a launching point for this adventurous young band who have been honing their craft over several releases. Their latest (and best in my opinion) has some very real proggy proggings . They of course have always flirted with such progressive trappings on previous releases but here the flag is waving high and proud. I enjoy the upbeat nature of the songs with different instruments being used almost at random.  For those of you that are not super into Jazz well I'd even say that this is for you also as it could be considered post rock as well.


One Armed Bandit (2010)

The Mercury Program

Any band that makes such heavy use of the vibraphone deserves some sort of "medal of fucking righteousness" One of those bands would undoubtedly be The Mercury Program, an entirely instrumental math rock group but with a very signature sound all their own.  Pretty smooth jazzy in areas with propulsive drumming. This is one of those groups where the drums are so dank that every other member could seriously be out to lunch and it would still be crushing. I am happy to say we do not have issue with that here.By the by if this is not a familiar name to you and you are in enjoyment of such similar ventures on this page:

I HIGHLY SUGGEST YOU RESCHEDULE THAT DATE WITH THE NEW PANDA BEAR ALBUM * AND CHECK IT OUT.

But seriously of the two albums I'm posting start with their 2002 release, Its a great way to get acquainted. A personal note of mine, the first track "Tequesta" has been my alarm in the morning for about a year and a half now and is one of the best things to hear in the morning for some reason. My guess would be because it rocks faces, but that's more of hypothesis than anything else.  


*Yawn


All The Suits Began To Fall Off (2001)

A Data Learn The Language (2002)

Chez Viking (2009)

The Sea and Cake - Oui

If you want listen to the musical equivalent of french toast in bed on a snow day well here's your chance.  Made up of some extremely talented individuals this is by no means a pissing contest. The Sea and Cake are very chilled and more into drawing the mood of a piece out. Its only weakness for me would be that occasionally a song will outstay its welcome on a riff. This is some excellent night driving music and always makes me feel right at home. Featuring drum machine and live drums, crud loads of synths and Archer Prewitt's signature wispy vocals.  John McEntire (multi-instrumentalist of Tortoise) plays drums strictly here. And while they also share geographic location with Tortoise we are also treated to that amazing vibraphone we all know and love from them.   


Oui