Dr. John- Locked Down (2012)

I do not know much about Dr. John; I have been listening to his latest album, Locked Down, for the last few days, and I am just now skimming his wikipedia, checking out his long career and quickly discovering that he was the man responsible for the song In The Right Place from 1973. Before listening to that track again now, I really only remembered it by his deep, gnarly vocals. It is a great track; its got a decent sized band on it to play some nice James Brown style r&b/ pop, with horns and a tight rhythm section, and some surprisingly interesting arrangements.

I have missed the majority of this mans catalog, and with Locked Down forming my impression of what kind of music he plays, I am quite interested to look deeper into his work. Locked Down is a very solid release from this funky man; a keyboardist/ singer/ songwriter in trade, he recently got together with singer/ guitarist Dan Auerbach from the Black Keys to play on and produce the album, and Dan brought in some of the Dubtown records crew to flesh out the arrangements. I am especially digging the middle of the album, where the r&b/ pop style starts including some sick afrobeat action. Check track 5, Getaway:



locked down

Pulseve - Magnet EP

Had ran into these guys awhile back and perhaps did not give them a fair chance. Thankfully an email from them allowed me to dive back in.  Hailing from Italy, Pulseve weave a pretty unique blend of Post-rock, progressive tones, math rock attack and a surprising amount of atmosphere. I've said this before and I will say it again, there is a serious lack of darker tinged math rock in today's musical landscape. Hearing those dark ambient progressions is simply music to my ears not to mention that bass guitar tone is flipping sensational. Another item of note is the fact that this is a two piece which is even more impressive considering the mood they can strike with limited personnel.

From their site:

"Torino based duo (drum+bass) blends silence and rage, nightmares and daydreaming, feet digging the ground / hands air floating. 2011 debut EP “Magnet” belches out cannibal affairs, earthly desires and blackmailed toreros. Gravity is dancing on tightropes.

pulseve is:
Diego Franchino, drums
Maurizio Veglio, bass"

Magnet EP 
 

Community of Living Things - Various (2011 - 2012)

Community of Living Things is one Jonathan Markson. Having stumbled on his bandcamp through a series of back roads I was very pleasantly surprised and intrigued.  It seems that Markson has been putting out a couple songs every month since June of 2011. The range of material runs the gamut of indie pop, electro indie, mathy pop and instrumental rock. Some pretty excellent music going on here and as I have yet to go through everything so far what I have heard has certainly left an impression. Its just nice to see a level of heart and passion being put forth by one person.

Community of Living Things

You Slut! - Medium Bastard (2012)

La dernière fois sur beaucoup d'épées


Our over sea's riff barons are back with their brand new math rock release Medium Bastard. It has everything you've come to expect larger than life riffs, face bending time changes, excellent production and what has always made them a favorite the "fun" factor.  This time out there seems seems to be a larger division between the meaty metal influenced chaos and the more intricate fair which sometimes works in their favor. I still love the juxtaposition of the two going back and forth and on some they do just that. It feels like it has been forever since "critical meat" and its clear they have crafted a more involved song writing style. Thankfully as well you wont find any recycled riffs here.  What I felt like with the last release was that only time would tell if these riffs would truly stick and I'm getting a good feeling that they will.

The Nine Lives of the Parachute Tester - Joe Banana and His Bunch

Three piece indie math lite group with a lot of potential. These guys have fairly straight forward structures but truly excel with excellent vocals and some pretty inspired and sprightly drumming.  All in all these three songs showcase their strengths incredibly well with my only minor gripe being that I wished the girl would sing more. I can truly appreciate a group that puts actual time into their vocal contributions because lets face it a lot of math (or even indie rock groups for that matter) have a very slap dash approach to writing lyrics and vocals melodies. As stated this is not at all the case here. Best of luck to these guys and very excited to see where a full length will take them.

Joe Banana and His Bunch!

The Samuel Jackson Five - The Samuel Jackson Five (2012)

Previously on plentyofswords...

_________

Our Norway Post-Rockers finally return after 2008's stunning Goodbye Melody Mountain. Always Samuel Jackson Five one up's themselves with each release and continually stands ahead of the pack.  This time around we find them more willing to branch out and even to add vocals to a few of the songs (as much they had hinted at before the release)  The standard's are there for sure gorgeous lead lines, technical songwriting (without using the p-word...prog) and interesting juxtaposition of instruments. It does seem that the jazz elements of past have taken a bit of a back seat to my dismay. However the quality of the songs are not effected by this. Is this the best SJ5 release? ehhh i wouldn't be so sure to say and honestly each one before has always taken a bit to sink in for me. Know this though that there isn't a person out there that shouldn't give it a crack. There really are so many things to love about these guys.

Samuel Jackson Five (2012)

Kinder

Rarely does music get plopped into my lap that makes me truly excited. When I opened my email to find a bandcamp link to Peru based Kinder, I was floored. This is a perfect amalgamation of indie rock, experimental, electronic and math elements. Flawlessly executed and jammed tight with little room for another instrument to even play a note in edge wise. Its high energy rarely lets up and even then it seethes with such forward movement you wait on the edge of your chair to see where its going to take you next.



Kinder
Link fixed. 

Bear Baiting - EP

Heres the skinny. 2 bass guitars and programmed drums playing instrumental post rock math metal noise gaze. With some very excellent production it seriously sounds like those bass guitars are going to invade your chest cavity. The shoe-gaze element gives it a nice counter balance to the unfolding metalesque songs. CHECK IT.

                                         extra points:

                                         awesome cover art :)
Bear Baiting EP

Bellow Below - EP

Fairly new Scottish 4 piece that plays an interesting mix of vocal led alt. indie mathish pop? Again just one of those things that you've gotta taste and see. The EP covers a lot of ground in a short amount of time and always seems to head in some very interesting directions. Some of the vocal melodies and harmonies are pretty left field but can also be stunningly beautiful in another moment. Sounds a bit like Pharaohs if they were a bit less happy and never stayed in one place for too long in a song? I dont know tough call they are truly their own beast. I have to say though that I was immediately struck by these guys on first listen and it honestly just keeps getting better with each listen. If this isn't on your radar.....lets just say it needs to be.  

BANDCAMP FOR THE DOWNLOAD

Snaarj

Alto and tenor saxophones interweave lines in and out of one another while a (dare I use the term)"funky" bass holds down the festivities. The drummer mixes some devilish poly-rhythms while still keeping it delightfully tasteful. Snaarj claims a number of different genre identifiers in their Bio and would like to be tagged as "sax pop" I however feel this doesn't really do them justice. Sure the indie rock spirit is there but these guys seem more progressive rock driven than maybe they'd say. All genre finger pointing aside this is some wonderfully composed music from four friends how clearly love what they do. There seems to be a growing number of bands latching onto this sort of setup and many die by the sword. Snaarj has one song up on their bandcamp from this year (Husky Plus) that seems to sum up in short order what to expect. The live album also shows that there are others to come that are just as excellent. I wait with eager palms outstretched for whats to come.

SNAAAAARRJJ!!

Punch Brothers- Who's Feeling Young Now? (2012)

A few years ago I heard an NPR interview with Chris Thile, discussing the album he wrote in the wake of a relationship that had ended. I knew nothing of him, or Nickel Creek, or his new band, Punch Brothers. It was an insightful interview, and I picked up and loved their debut album, 2008s Punch. Then, as I do, I sort of lost track of them, hearing a few things but not picking up their follow up, Antifogmatic, or searching them out for news or upcoming shows.

Then in February, I see a review for their third album, and a link to the first track, Movement and Location, and I got my socks knocked off, put them socks back on and they just clean got knocked off again. Punch Brothers have moved way beyond the bluegrass/ folk/ classical style I remembered from Punch and have gone into truly outstanding territory. They are a standard bluegrass outfit: mandolin, guitar, upright bass, violin and banjo and utilizing 4 part vocal harmonies. The pop sensibilities of the group have come to fruition, while never hiding the roots and skills that each of their 5 members have. Hearing them do an instrumental version of Kid A is especially interesting, seeing how an acoustic outfit would pick apart and preform such an electronic track; Who's Feeling Young Now is full of swagger; and I must post the video for Movement and Location for all you Swordsers. It is a doozy:



who's feeling young now?

Jason Lowenstein - At Sixes and Sevens (2002)

Any Sebadoh fans in the house? eh? a couple? alright well then some may or may not be familiar with Mr. Lowenstein here one time drummer of the iconic Lou Barlow fronted Sebadoh. If your still scratching your head (which you shouldn't be) Barlow played/plays bass in Dinosaur Jr.  Back to the task at hand, Jason's first solo effort is an interesting sort. This is pretty rock n roll through and through but with an excellent grasp of the guitar with some punk rock tones and at times pretty intricate lead lines. 90's sounding for sure with a less pop centric guided by voices level of song writing. draw backs? this release is front loaded like a mother. Anywho there is something for everyone going on here. dig in or......dig dug?

At Sixes and Sevens (2002)

Zucchini Drive - Being Kurtwood (2006)

 Zucchini Drive is an electronic Hip hop duo from Brussels and Sweden. My taste in such fair is pretty selective so if your surprised don't be these guys are very excellent. Lyrically at times they can be easy to dismiss but this is more than made up for with emotional beats and an interesting lo-fi aesthetic.  I wasn't sold on first listen years ago it did take a couple passes but in the end it was worth it. Like i said those these beats are pretty creative often utilizing acoustic guitars and having a decidedly old school flavor. Its possible that this isn't for all parties but it's worth a shot if any of what I just said perked your ear.


Zucchini Drive - Being Kurtwood (2006)

Mr. Maps

WHY ISN'T ANYONE TALKING ABOUT THESE GUYS?!

Mr. Maps are an Australian instrumental band that focuses on some sort of orchestral math rock lite.  Highly calculated and expertly produced, this is an excellent release that gives just as much room for piano and stringed instruments as the usual rock arsenal.  A pretty unique release as far as im concerned in the realm of odd timed flim flam.

Wire Empire (2011)

Bruce Peninsula

Canadian ensemble Bruce Peninsula have a good thing going. Interesting percussion, great choir style soulful vox and nice song structures.  Lest we not forget the guitar because it certainly holds its own not being content to play chunky chords but some sprightly figures. The music shifts at a pretty steady clip so theres no chance youll be caught snoozing. Seriously though im done writing long descriptions just know that this is some great stuff for your ears.

A Mountain is a Mouth  2009

Open Flames (2011)

Chairlift- Something (2012)

Thanks to Abigail for reminding me about these guys. Chairlift are an electro-pop trio-turned- duo that made it big with that darn Bruises song off their first album, Does You Inspire You. I never checked out that album, and was only vaguely aware of them because of that iPod commercial. Then, in January I read a glowing review for their follow-up album, Something, and gave a few songs of theirs a listen, and almost immediately, I forgot about them.

My pal Abigail recently brought them back to my attention yesterday, and I was very happy to quickly rediscover a neat band I almost let slip through my mind-cracks. Lovely vocals reign supreme and sit on top of some interesting synths and guitars that provide nice pop song structures; chill catchiness ensues. Their video for Evident Utensil from their debut is awesomely trippy (definitely check it); Amanamonesia was the first single off Something and the video is awesomely weird; Sidewalk Safari is track one. Its just awesome:



something
does you inspire you

Riding the Diplodoc - Dilettantes Like Lions / Crystal Fuxx

Updation:

Our beloved Riding the Diplodoc have dropped on us another wonderful gem in the form of the Crystal Fuxx EP. With this release comes a more focused sound and some better production. Intact are the quick changes and nicely written melodies. Have to say that as metaghost so eloquently put it "Sadly no reverse-reverb. Or helicopter sound effects." which I understand is a joke but it does seem that some of that youthful personality is missing, a minor gripe really. snatch and grab.

Crystal Fuxx EP 2012

_______

O yes this is what I'm talking about 2011! Riding the Diplodoc are a whole mess of fun math rock flip flying through your ear holes. Completely instrumental and you wont mind in the least. They have a lot of really great atonal riffs that come together and truth be told really don't sound like they should work in the least. I believe if im not mistaken these guys are from Russia. I have to say my experience with Russian math rock (yes there is a fairly lively scene) has been spotty at best. This gives them an awesome boost in the best direction. My son actually just woke up and asked what I was doing so he will now be taking over my review:

Maeson "it make me feel really good. I think I'm going to become a drummer like you when I grow up"

There you have it.

dilettantes like lions

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!

Jean Jean

French Instrumental Math Rock. Really fantastic stuff. Nothing too technical going on yet certainly not boring by any stretch. Totally out of left field on this one wasn't expecting this style.  Excellent production as well which give this an extra edge.


Jean Jean

Nicolay- City Lights Vol. 1.5; Here (2005-06)

Its easy to say that Phonte Coleman has really found his own voice and sound since leaving Little Brother. Although Phontes voice goes a long way, a big part of his sound comes from the connection he has with Dutch producer Nicolay. I love all the things these two make together, and recently realized I had dug deep into Phontes earlier work, but had neglected checking further Nicolay.

City Lights 1.5 is a 20 track album of mostly instrumental hiphop tracks; a few have guest rappers rhyming or giving Nicolay a shoutout, but for the most part it is tight, chill beats and nice instrumentation. Here came out a year later, and is an 11 track collaboration he produced and wrote, but it features vocals throughout, focusing on the vocal melodies, rhyming and harmony over the longer instrumentals on City Lights. Both are very nice; heres track 4 on City Lights, Light it Up:



vol. 1.5
here