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

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 :)

Our Brother The Native - Vows (2011)

Perhaps a little off the beaten path but grab your favorite walking staves and I will show you something that you will really enjoy.

Our Brother The Native appears to be the bulk responsibility of one Joshua Bertam hailing from Ann Arbour Michigan. A rotating cast of players help flesh out the rest.

Ambient yet busy with a strong pop sense. Group vocals play a large roll as well as a heavy percussion aspect. Structurally songs take twists and turns like a frantic orchestra. Instruments fly in and out oboe, strings, guitar who the hell knows half the time. Amidst this growing business there is a electronic glitch component that skews the proceedings even further with a cavalcade of samples. So what we get essentially is progressive baroque glitch pop? Now if I was just reading that I would say "well I need to hear what the hell that sounds like" You really should. This is some carefully crafted enjoyable musics right here.

Vows (2011)

No More Books?! Don't Worry Zammuto's Here

     If you read this and instantly thought I was going to reference some Bradbury level shit well....your wrong. The great and mighty emotional sample heavy band "The Books" is no more.  This concerns me if only for the fact that these guys really had this singular sound that I have rarely heard done. Every release of theirs has been carefully listened to countless times by myself. The Lemon of Pink being their mastepiece.
    Oldish news I suppose but there happens to be light at the end of the tunnel for the faithful. Nick Zammuto (principle vocalist of said group) has assembled a mighty team with the appropriate title "Zammuto". Their full length is set to drop very soon although an EP has crept in. Truth be told my skepticism level was shall we say "MONUMENTAL". If I may be so bold that this EP will have my utmost attention as any Books release after several listens. Im getting a more cohesive band oriented Book's vibe going on with more pronounced vocals. What's that you say? you're wondering about that superb Books style percussion aren't you? don't worry its slick solid basting sauce. Check it and wait with me for the full length :)

Zammuto - Idiom Wind EP