Hawks & Oxen - Shadow Matter (2011)

According to the bandcamp these folks were dead in the water before these songs were fully recorded. Huge freaking shame that we cant expect more from this Minneapolis four piece. We've just just got a lot of amazing things baked together to create a truly amazing end product.

Field recordings, Prog rock rhythms, Lush pop harmonies, Dissonant yet jubilant guitar interplay, some tight tight drums and Occational saxophone.

Its stitched so tightly that I even felt bad picking it apart. It just works so wonderfully. Math rock that is clearly of its own devices.

Plus facial hair on a baby totally screams math, yea?

hwks & oxn

Pharaohs - Photosynthesis (2011)

Last time on plenty of swords.....


Pharaohs are back again with their brand of indie pop rock math.  Photosynthesis marks a clear choice to amp up the pop elements and vocals harmonies which honestly they do so so so well. The great guitar interplay is still there as well as random bursts of math on occasion. The vocals content seems to have gotten a bit more serious which I appreciate less jokes in my music as a rule (especially since they aren't normally funny.) The songwriting is certainly way tighter as well. Give it a shot and I promise you will be humming a couple of these tunes....its just that good.

Photosynthesis