Ribbons - The Return of RBZ (2012)

 Very pastoral math rock with a high attention not only to the instruments but the very excellent vocals. Maybe even a little post-emo? eh its just quality stuff in these all to short four songs.  Call me a sucker but  I am always attracted to these one man projections. Matt Kiefer does a brilliant job of balancing all of the elements and creating a highly engaging package. This cup is full ladies and gents do not miss this one.

RIBBONS

Jazz for Kids - B A B (single)

Consider this a bookmark of sorts for this up and coming release by Jazz for Kids. The vision of one artist, Jeremy Myint. All that I have to say is "wow". This is some self assured music that blends a couple more progressive genre stylings in an extremely pleasant way. Math rock via guitar tapping melded with Jazz fusion (not your fathers fusion mind you). With a lot of these one man efforts the ability to translate "intricate" styles and make them seemingly "effortless" is something that has always attracted me to projects such as this. That being said the crown jewel here I would say are these vocals that perfectly dance atop the proceedings in a way that only the composer of this music could.  So if your still saying "why all the fuss about one song?" well im making the call now.  Come Dec. when the full release comes out its going to be something a whole lot of math heads will be rubber necking about. You wont be sorry. 

jazzforkids

Grass is Green

gush gush gush gush.

I'll admit when our "Mr Troop of Echoes" drummer Dan Moriarty first brought their 2011 effort to my attention..I wasn't sold. A girl's allowed to change her mind right??!! Well now is your chance to learn from my mistake. High Energy extremely creative indie prog.  Seriously when these songs turn corners I want to pump my first and scream "GREAT FRICKEN IDEA" haha. This is going to sound maybe a bit off base but think of a youthful and excited version of Polvo. Really inspired rock music that is one hard animal to pin down. Sure they clearly love them some prog rock and math nastiness but the indie rock vibe is strong and blah blah blah. At this juncture just go to their bandcamp and get your knowledge on. This is music to be listened to..not explained. Let me shut me yammer.

grassisgreeen  

Prismatic Mantis - Umbrella (2008)

In the mood to exit the room your sitting in? Stick those headphones in because this is something thats sure to take your mind away for at least the duration of of this record.

Prismatic Mantis inhabit a realm of ambient shifts that glide toward controlled chaos.  Within this ecosystem at odds, the creatures that have acclimated to such a habit truly run the range as well. Acoustic spanish tinged guitar, space-jazz (space-jam?), math rock, electronic, controlled noise, sampled music and progressive rock. All of this and more with a layer of psychedelia blanketed on top. I use these organic words because what you're about to experience is a very natural sounding project that is incredibly honest.  With everything firing its easy to assume that it could come off incredibly cold....this is the furthest from the truth one would imagine.

I can't stress this enough. This is beautiful work from individuals that have a clear vision and are artistically restless. Rarely does one run head first into a work so dense and chalk full of ideas. To close, I would like to thank those responsible for opening my vision and to plead to our limited readers that this is something that you should not pass by without giving this a heavy listen.

 umbrella

Racquets / Exchampion

 Getting smacked in the face by music is one of my more favorite things to have happen to me when I have a first run through of an album.

Racquets - occupies a space in music that is electronic but also with live instrumentation. sounds simple enough however this stuff is (((((INCREDIBLY)))) busy, jazzy, occationally funky, and one of our over used words here "mathy". Everyone should be excited about this because it is just something you've gotta check out. The production on those nimble drums just sets my heart ablaze with love. jesus christmas nuts this is one those groups that just as you think they are done doing something sweet THEY DO SOMETHING EVEN MORE BRAIN MELTING. PLEASE!

Exchampion - A side project of Raquets is similiar in some ways but different in some pretty interesting ways. Exchampion while still seemingly having some live instrumentation seems more focused on synth's and different sounds than their main project. I perfer the above better but its kind of like saying I prefer green tea to peppermint tea, both rock me to my core.

please do yourselves a favor :)

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.

Mugsy Boges - Sangfroid (2012)

Saratoga Springs NY based band that is holding down some really interesting jams here.
I say this because there are a lot of genres being bandied about. Indie rock, twinkly guitars, straight up math rock, alt rock and a spritz of pop punk for flavor. In spirit I kind of get a little bit of a Grown Up's vibe going and this can only mean good things. I appreciate the playing style here as it is pretty loose which isn't usually something I get totally down with. These guys are younger and its a first release but I say pretty dang darn stronger than a lot of first efforts. The vocals actually ended up surprising me in a good way on that second track. Worth the peaking effort as there is certainly something for everyone.

mugsyboges

Arcing - Doubt (2012)

Tiny Hawks? anyone?
Dont fret Papa Swords is HERE.


Arcing is essentially Tiny Hawks with the addition of a bassist. What does it mean to you? Well it means your face is going to be pounded by awesome on all fronts. No really this stuff is so so so so good it cant be healthy. The music here is an updation of what Tiny Hawks were trying to do. A shout style aggressive math punk with a technical edge and just the right amount of melody from the guitar. It truly is a taste sensation that can't be beat.  I can safely say few bands going right now can match these cats in what is going down. If any of this sounds interesting or if you just want me to listen to something with the promise that it will be awesome...well this is it friends club.

arcing.bandcamp
dwnld

The Littlest Viking - The Littlest Viking (2012)

 Last time on Plenty of Swords..

Any human animal that has stumbled upon our page with at least a passing interest in math rockery should be familiar with these two boys. The Littlest Viking lay down some really great down to earth math rock with more of a focus on song craft than guit shredin. This new release is a restless one to be sure with different flavors being added to the mix. Vocals make more than a few appearances and dont seem to really grab me by the throat like I had hoped. Really the songs are at their best when these two are laying down emotional instrumental rock.  Admittedly I found the rhythms to be a bit more straight forward than last go. Yes there are some very solid songs going here that I will prolly come back to but on the whole...I'm feeling a little let down. Time could be the great decider however once I get more of a chance to spend time with this one.

Also someone must have eaten the "pop punk pill" on a couple of these jammers

TLV

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

Bats - The Sleep of Reason (2012)

The last release on the Richter Collective label. Epic album from Dublin math-rock scientists!!

sorry for the lack of posts recently, hopefully this will make up for that!

DOWNLOAD
BANDCAMP
STREAM

Manray - Tournament (2011)

One of the newest editions to the great Athens, Georgia based label, Hello Sir Records (home to Cinemechanica, Bronzed Chorus, Antarctic) this is some intense, driving, math ROCK. Think early Adebisi Shank with occasional shouted vocals or Battles crossed with Fugazi. Also reminds me of Alarma Man. If you dont know them, perhaps I should post that next. Check it!

Listen

Give Thanks

Scarlet (2011)

Rhode Island boys Scarlet are practioners of the in vogue "POP MATH" style of music.

Those vocals are sure to melt even the most stone hearts...for sure. Scarlet is no slouch in the instrumentaling either. Firing on all cylinders they are Incredibly tight and keep things very accessible even when things get a bit tricksy.  A lot of pop math misses the mark as far as catchy hooks and vocals so if that is what you like (and who doesn't?) then these guys are whats up. Be sure to check out all of there shtuff on the camp.

s c a r l e t

Axes (2011)

London based Alt math rock group.

Super tight bizz. Think if Fago Sepia was invited to a rad party. Sure the good times do eventually chill a bit but the melodies are strong enough to carry even the less frantic parts. Can only imagine a full length release will mean stronger songs :)

AXES

14 Foot 1 - "Christ Grenades" [2007]

14 Foot 1 – “Christ Grenades” [2007]
Math-rock is the new punk. 
14 Foot 1’s “Christ Grenades” is a super fun album.
  Youthful, catchy, sloppy, life-affirming math for your ears.
 These kids were dreaming big, and they actually managed to pull of some pretty rad moments.  The songs are kinetic and fun, and there is some electronic / overdubbed ear candy interspersed to spice things up. 
These guys still play shows from time to time, and its rumored that a new album is on the way.  Stay tuned!
STREAM or DOWNLOAD

Bear Bones - Seat Save Infinity (2011)

Bear Bones is Mike Osso (guitarist from Father Figure) so automatically you've got a possibility that this is going to be freaking sweet sauces...it is by the way.

Again we've got the electronic aspects on full display but really this to me smacks of some modern day Jazz Fusion...albeit one functioning on a creative level rather than knocking on old mahavishnu's door.
Lets just say this is a bit of a departure on the surface from Father Figure, but peel back the rind and you do have some similarities.

Testimonials from my children:

"It sounded like a video game at first then it changed to some really good music. It sounded kinda weird...not really weird but when it changed it sounded like something on the radio"
Oni (8 years old)

"Maybe its from a game boy game? I thought it was cool"
Maeson (4 years old)

"I liked it. It sounded like aliens were invading the earth"
Tatiana (7 years old)


Some confusing and glowing testimonial. But they all were dancing as they listened so mission accomplished.

Bear Bones

Falcon Punch!

Seems like we are straying further and further from "traditional" math rock. This is by all accounts some pretty straight up electronic style bizz. But it has a nice organic instrumentality that is at times pretty jazzy (throw in mention of math rock here). So if this sort of thing tends to scare you off I can assure you there are plenty of things to like here with Falcon Punch!. Also worth noting is how has no one named their band Falcon Punch until now?

FP!

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
________________________________

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

Legs Like Tree Trunks - Future Reference (2012)

Pencil Vania based math popsters "Legs Like Tree Trunks" have unleashed their newest EP on our ears.  Their previous which I have been shamefully sitting on for too long was a pretty sure footed effort to be sure.

BUT BUT BUT THIIIISS WOOOO BUDDY!!

Its got that nice gentle pacing with excellent mathy guitar interplay and some nice little twists while still keeping a leg in some accessible pop territory. Loads of bands are currently navigating in this territory and I can say that LLTT have as firm a grasp as I've heard lately.

(me)What I can't shake and this I believe to be to their credit reminds me of Maps and Atlases a bit

(other me).......who? O you mean the now current pop/classic rock band Maps and Atlases?

(me) No No Before that! long ago they used to be math pop...sigh...
this just has that old maps feeling a bit. nothing samey just in spirit. 

Enough comparing because these kitties stand on their own without the finger pointing. Emotional stuff at that I should mention, some really lifting vocal melodies. This is, as I have said before, a difficult feature of the genre. On this release they have absolutely nailed the landing and should be receiving some glowing praise from the judges.

This Judge is giving them 4 3/4 california rolls out of 5. I ate the other quarter.

Future Reference (2012)

Penguinsmeat - 2 +1 (2012)

Seriously this track off of Penguinsmeat's new release slay's cockatrices and dark mages..

(Authors note: I have noticed eating while reviewing has leaked some food vernacular into print...seems as though anime isn't helping either.)

ANYWAY yes this three piece from Russia is awesome. They are builders songwriting wise, but truly the payoff's are sweet and expertly...executed.  Math Rock ala Post Rock Station with a layover at pedal ville. My musical ADD didn't even cause a fuss at all! (surprising).

Everyone should be paying attention because this is some wicked good biz. Hit them up.

bndcamp