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

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.

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

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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

Anamanaguchi - Dawn Metropolis

8-bit rock music that is more rock than video game is exactly what many of this style are lacking. Utilizing live instrumentation always helps out any bands game especially here. This has been a favorite of my son's for awhile now and reason being is its just damn fun. The first half of this album is front loaded with some really great songs and as for the second half.....well lets just say they are lucky to have a few "continues" under their belt.  Problem being is when they try to act like they are writing music for a video game soundtrack they fell victim to copy cat-er-ing. This is rock music with a pumping 8-bit heart not the other way around. Chances are high though that people normally scared off by those classic bleeps and bloops.


Dawn Metropolis (2009)

The Littlest Viking - Labor and Lust (2009)

Fun and interesting instrumental rock music must be my special weakness along with babies, san pellegrino and a nice apple on a fall day. I can promise you have heard bits and pieces these guys throw around in other groups but they do it with a great bounce and even transcend to some emotional parts on a few songs. Very excellent two piece that I personally have been waiting to here from for awhile. the guitar can get a bit technical but generally likes to bounce along but boy can that drummer pummel his kit. If this is a new face for you and your into this sort of math rock bizz do it.

Labor and Lust (2009)