Castle Cats - Ice Locks (2016)

Castle Cats has the spit and polish of veteran group but seems to be largely the vision of one Brian Davis with some kit work by Ryan Berg. Both Brian and Ryan are instructors at "The School of Rock" in Downington PA. Its clear there are insane chops flying around the room but I'd say my interest lies in the compositions themselves. An electro/keyboard elements helps round out the sound and makes things very atmospheric. Something akin to a more updated 80's classic prog sound at times. Each song holds its own unique vision with moodier pieces thrown in for good measure. I have to say its some of the most immediately enjoyable rock I've heard in a good bit. Castle Cats provides a great technical base without feeling like your being clubbed over the head with knotty guitar work. It can be a hell of a lot of fun as well. Both Ice Locks and Dog Dungeon (somehow it actually sounds like a dungeon for dogs) really encapsulate the sort of prog I wish we could have more of in 2016.

 

Salt Cathedral - Salt Cathedral (2013)

Whoa from the first few moments you're going to have the fish hook lodged deep. Busy post-rock electro pop with some really juicy math tendencies AND sensational female vocals. Its a recipe for digging deep into this rich dish. Its always at the right amount of restraint and never plays into any one area more than another. The guitars are always playing some crazy little background licks while the drums dance around while the  forks down the movement with the angelic singing. I'm just being blown apart by this Brooklyn group while their music is re-assembling me. TOP PICK AHOY!

SALT CATHEDRAL (2013)

Zefs Chasing Cara - Ultra Gown (2013)

New Zefs Chasing Cara has finally arrived. Its been a few years believe it or not since his last release (2010) But thankfully we are here to celebrate. For those unfamiliar this one man UK based math popster revels in tight turns and a penchant for electronic elements. Before I go any further there are great moments here and it is a progression from "Kneel and You Will Lose". However the sort of furthering is one I cant fully be on board for. Like I said Zef's has been steadily creeping toward more and more electro flavored elements but it was always the balance of live and sampled/keyboards that kept me interested. Ultra Gown at times is just too polished and inorganic sounding to totally sell me. The scales have seemingly tipped in favor of less live instrumentation and/or completely blending everything together. Lets be clear when I say that this release does still have more creativity than 75% of the math rock I've been in contact with this year. I gotta say im on the fence with this one and it may take me a few more listens. self imposed hype is never a positive.

ZEFSCHASINGCARA

P For Persia - Coral Canyon (2011)

2011 seems a bit dated than we are used to here, I realize — BUT! These UK spacey chip math indie noise beasts are releasing a split EP (Aegis Arctic Alp) tomorrow and as such you should all be on high alert (because it's awesome). Certainly check out Coral Canyon beforehand to get some fresh perspective before you dive headfirst into the EP tomorrow. It's some pretty scattershot music, but they do a great job of wrangling everything under one roof.

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
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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

Brightest Color - EP

Seems as though the residual trickle down economics of 80's synth revival (isn't there always an 80's synth revival no matter what year it is? ) and danceable math pop ala Foals has emerged in more than a couple bands as of late. I have my own personal love/hate battles with aspects of both but these guys Brightest Color seem to have struck some sort of balance. Is this going to melt your mind with awesome? eh i suppose it wouldn't leave you breathless but there are some genuinely excellent riffs sandwiched in here. Track 2 "Intimacy" opens with what could be a lost mega man boss level. I'm going to say Sabrage Man? Anywho check it could be your thing.

Brightest Color

Max Tundra

Max Tundra, is an interesting case. You can tell that there is a lot of love for a lot of different genres going here. Much hubbub has been made about him using a bunch of vintage recording equipment to make these dense electro pop pieces.  Speaking of pop, he is a man very much in love with pop culture as well, it can get a bit corny. As this might start to sound a bit odd at times...yea it can be but you can tell its honest work.  The drum programming is what impresses me most about all of Max's albums, it is dense and schizophrenic.  He has an incredible ear for rhythm which is what 9 times out of 10 is lacking from similar artists. Flirtations with 8 bit music in the past are now brought more to the front showcased in their own songs. Vintage synths rule his songs along with heartfelt vocals.

parallax error beheads you

Subtle - For Hero: For Fool

Starting something so concise for these guys is almost impossible.  I dont care how your feelings sway when it comes to Dose One (Adam Drucker) high register mc spitting, this is just to good to be bogged down by anything. Subtle is a mish mash of talents, therefore giving it a very hard tag to pin on it. Heres where it gets dangerous...cough...cough ....

...Rap Rock *

WHO SAID THAT?! YOU? WAS IT YOU?! NOT ME!


In all seriousness it is so much more than that. Just easy escape for what I cant really say. It really brings together some savage hooks, pretty bouncy pop, vintage synths, samples, live instruments everything but the kitchen sink. You truly have to listen. This album is possibly in my top 10 of all time lost in space/ Apocalypse album choices. The reason behind this is its honesty. Dose spins a story of middle class stagnancy and really its a whole lot more complicated than that. There are three albums in the story of hour hero yes. A New White White the precursor to For Hero and Exiting Arm the last release. Both are very enjoyable in their own way. For Hero is just so self assured that it doesn't matter whats happening there's just such commitment to the instrumentation and production that I dare you to point out chinks in the armor. This begs for more exposure. Spread this into your life and you will not be sorry.


*saying that three times, like beatljuice, reforms Limp Bizkit. No one wants that. So it is only mentioned once in the write up.

check comments for linkage

Bad Dudes

Electro-punk math rock?

Having an ex and current member of mega sick prog demons Upsilon Acrux automatically makes your band that much cooler.

It helps that they are actually amazing. Songs are varied but always fun and it never gets too noodly. Great vocals going on.

Lastly current Upsilon Acrux member Phil Cobb on the keyboards is a dangerous man to mess with.

Bad Dudes - Eat Drugs

Humcrush - Rest at Worlds End

Part of the Rune Grammophone crew this group certainly doesn't pull any punches. Fans of left field Jazz should dig this electro-improv two some. The first track is just killer with horribly complex drums and interjecting keyboard stabs.


Rest at Worlds End 2009 Album


Humcrush - Stream  Video!