Rest Ashore - The Human Error (2015)

Indie Rock is often viewed by me as this behemoth of mediocrity. As it has broad genre specifiers we tend to get a lot of bland almost...dad rock (shudder). It should always be noted though when a group rises above the hoard and issues forth a proclamation.

Enter in:
Rest Ashore from New Jersey. While surface investigation may lead you to believe that this 4 piece is a group that will fade into the background like its contemporaries.. I will kindly disagree and prove that incorrect.

Inspired instrumentation in an indie rock/emo setting is the fastest way to my heart. At times these folks flirt with math rock conventions but dont seem overly concerned to play to any specific side. Its to their benefit of course as each of the 11 songs holds its own story as well as musical theme.

If the music was the only thing we had here... well we could pack it up and be happy with ourselves...make some snacks and binge watch netflix. BUT luckily vocalist (and guitarist) Erica Butts has an incredible amount to say. Its an approach that never stays in one place for too long. At times shouted, crooned and sang plainly things get down right soulful at times. Now imagine all of this going down while the rest of the band is laying down tasty riffs and funky rhythms.  

I do catch a sort of throw back emo/indie early 90's vibe but at the same time incredibly vital to todays music. There's plenty here for any music fan to enjoy really. I can only see good things and further success coming for this band.

Rest Ashore - The Human Error (2015)

Big Bad Buffalo - American (2014)

These guys have been on my radar and have posted to our little fantastical facebook page where we have lively discussions about progressive...stuff.

Plenty of Swords (facebook page)

Annyywhose, these cats are playing sort of a 90's throw back indie style but with some nice little time shifts occasionally. Vocals are here as well and they are surprisingly catchy in an odd sort of way but it all comes together for a really fresh package. Check this out.

BIGBADBUFFALO

Holy Torpedo - Super Sabre (2014)

holy smackers this austin group has dropped a doozy down upon my face.  Mix some chip tune keyboards with a gnarly dose of alternative indie rock and very light mathy flirtations and you've got a powerful concoction. Are we done? nope. Vocals round out this beast and they are every bit the catchy 90's tinged biz that would have to accompany these jams. Incredibly self assured first release.

Sweet fancy I cant stop listening

Don't wait a second longer dive in

super-sabre

Chapter Books - Too Strong (2014)

Looks as though Chapter Books has graced us with a...wait for it...new "chapter" hehe. 

As previously discussed here on their debut EP we have a great cross section of punk energy, indie emo base and occasional mathy guitar interplay. On their newest full length we have a few re-recordings and a barn load of new animals. This is the right kind of production for steez like this. Guitar's "Twinkle" (hate that term) and crunch when needed.  Sounds great all gussied up for sure.  Some aspects of these guys I'm really chiseling on are as everyone takes a step back and the guitars are bare, you really get to see some beautiful well thought out licks. Taken as a whole its the total package for this kind of ilk and without a bum arm in the mix.  show the love folks and spread it thoroughly this baby just got borned up....TONIGHT!  :)

CHAPTER BOOKS (2014)
(Facebook page)

Vaya - (pre-release) 2013

Chicago math pop by way of indie rock. The windy city seems like a hot bed for progressive fair these days. Vaya instrumentally seems like they are pushing that pop to its very limit at all times. really technical work for sure. Its an odd yet enjoyable pairing to have almost lounge like singing (think a more capable David Longstreth from Dirty Projectors) with this great math back drop. This for sure will be a release to watch as the riffs are surely insteresting enough to hold your attention and pretty memorable to boot.

VAYA

Fowls - Into the Wild (2013)

Fowls are a group from Rochester NY (UPSTATE!) that bring an interesting blend to the table.  Its Indie pop rock that borrows a few tricks of the trade from math rock and post rock. Its a combo that I've heard a few times but these guys have their own spin and that certainly counts for something. Reminds me a bit of the UK groups doing the similar math pop lite vocal one two punch.

FOWLS

Emma Ate the Lion - Songs Two Count Too (2013)

Jesum, this is some incredibly self-assured progressive math. Massachusetts-based Emma Ate the Lion hurl some varied styles at the wall and they paint the picture of a group ready to take on anything. Post-hardcore breaks? Progressive structures? Time changes? Soaring vocals? all here firing in sync. The biggest asset these guys have (aside from everything) is that keyboard/organ player absolutely ripping it hard and dictating each song's next few steps. Vocals firmly throw this in the realm of math-pop but perhaps the most diverse pop I've heard in a dog's day. It's refreshing to hear a group so comfortable in a sound they clearly have crafted for themselves. While the genres are familiar the presentation is captivating to listen to unfold before you.

HIGHLY suggest that everyone with a passing interest in anything music related needs to check this out.
Dare I say this is my new favorite album? Certainly
one to dethrone on this last quarter of 2013.  

EATL (2013)   

Soft Skills - A Future to Remember (2013)

SMACK — right in the ticker! Been waiting awhile to be taken at note one and here we are dear friends.

Soft Skills features two members of "Duck. Little Brother, Duck!" in yet another instance of the progeny being stronger and more focused than the progenitor. A couple of notable features running deep are awesome drums and a nice lighter indie math rock style. The icing for me though has to be the keyboard, a horribly underused instrument in this style featured front and center. Vocals? Yep, and they're pretty boss hog as well.

Stop reading and hit the linkage.

Alpha Male Tea Party - Real Ale and Model Rail: The Lonely Man's Guide to Not Committing Suicide (2013)

Been keeping a close eyeball on these guys for a bit now and had wondered when we would hear from them next. Well, here it is. This UK based group has opened themselves up a bit more to harder hitting guitars with certainly no shortage of chunktastic mathy turns. Track 3 "Go to the Ant, you sluggard" features some — dare I say — accessible vocals and is a standout single for sure.  Personally I would think men, woman, and children of all ages would find at least something here to really hold on to, but maybe I'm biased. Anyway it's in your best interest to take a peek because there are some really great moments going on.   

Beach Parade - Tour Loko EP (2011)

Eli one of our fine members of the PoS had gotten me wise to these guys a little while back. I can safely say I am embarrassed to have missed such excellently crafted and instrumentally complex punk music from Ithaca NY. It's got that insane energy with great powerful vocals and some extremely inspired dual guitars. If your in the mood from some high flying rock then let this be your first stop of the night.

Beach Parade

Stockades - MONOLITH (2013)

Previously on X-Me....er Plenty of Swords

Australians based post-hardcore mathsters Stockades are almost ready to drop their first official release this June. Should prove to be a banger if this newly released song is any indicator. Great vocals and fantastically noodly guitars are in high order with these peeps so if thats your thing (and it should be) then you gotta peek it up.

HIMSELF - SELFLESS (2012)

Just posted a track off this on the Facebook page and decided it wasn't fair for everyone not to fully enjoy this wonderful noise. UK based alt rock math with spoken word sing songy vocals?? 

Honestly there have been some rumblings on these guys around the interwebs and have been a little surprised to not see more. The vocal style is a little ugh how should i say "gonzo"  while not being annoying and adds a nice bit of personality. Not horribly mathy but progressive never the less. these guys can bring the party down to a really tense chill level and raise up some heavy crushing riffs. Certainly to be checked out.

Viridians - [sp] arrows EP

It literally just occured to me that I have been listening to this three song EP on repeat....and enjoying every flipping second. This Canadian group has the post-hardcore pop lite math thing thang down pat. Instruments are just the right amount of twitchy and complex with memorable chord progressions.  Its odd because they sound a bit familiar but more in an almost nostalgic way.  Compound that with some incredibly powerful vocals (including harmonies) and well shut the gate its a done deal. Do yourselves a favor and end your weekend with something nice and refreshing.

The Most Americans - The Most Americans (2013)

Have to say that there is a serious lack of indie rock these days that has that healthy dose of math like in the 90's....ahhh the 90's hahah. The Most Americans are from Boston and bring the heat hard with some wonderfully crafted indie rock that also has its fair share of dual guitar tom foolery...incredibly melodic guitars at that. You can be sure that the vocals are also just as catchy with their melodies. These guys know exactly what their doing and as a first release its clear that they know exactly what they want and how to get there. So again to sum it up 90's era indie rock with some inspired mathy instruments dueling it out underneath some intense crooning. Its not frenetic but it keeps a solid clip throughout which makes it seem maybe a bit more laid back than it actually is....blah stop! haha go listen now.

God some straight gorgeous guitars. This one certainly blindsided me hard. congrats.

Meadow Saffron - Leaving the Black Square (2008)

        Always good to go digging back through the back catalogs on a sunday night. Now you well informed math wizards and wizettes may already be knowledgeable about this incredibly solid album. Meadow Saffron hail from Germany and play a gloriously tasty math rock cocktail that in structure plays as post-rock. The cherry dazzle to this here release is deff. the well done vocals that are all over this beast. The rhythms are also top notch as well.  Enjoy and Smile.

MEDOSAFRN
________________________________

Ah yes and I failed to mention I'll be starting a new section here in a bit. My 7 and 9 year old daughters are going to be guest reviewing some classic math rock tracks. I can promise that it will be incredibly hilarious and possibly a little eye opening. More info to come.

Hikes - Friends (2013)

Last time on the Swords....

My last words were based on my reaction to their song "Shepherds Clock" which I had some pretty strong feelings about :) Now we are have a full length to fully grasp what this Texas group is laying down.

What I enjoy about these guys (and gal) is that there is an incredibly honest mashing of folk/folk rock and math. To my own bias however I feel they do their best work when the math is out in force....and unfortunately thats not very often. But the great news is without the overt tapping and awesome drums this functions as a gorgeous folk rock record. The low points though are realistically minor because this is a very enjoyable first outing for these guys. "Trophy Lives" is another incredibly well balanced track just like the aforementioned song. Its incredibly admirable to see a band doing something left of center and succeeding at a high level.  Everyone is going to really take a liking to this and its a damn crime that more people aren't trumpeting their praises.

SO GOOD!

ps its free guys so really there's no excuses ;)

Friends

Couteaux - Sail West to Reach The East (2012)

There is just something so beautiful to me about the mix of post-hardcore with math rock. Consider adding in the mix some POP hooks and strong vocals...and...well you've got a group ready for just about anything.

Couteaux seem perfectly at home melting these riff heavy gems around a metal and post rock center. But talk is talk folks and the proof is certainly in this pudding. If its sounding great to you on paper I can assure you that you wont be let down by these guys in the least.

Ridiculous

couteaux

Piles and Piles - Premonitions Say (2013)

Jesus christmas cracker those are some lush sounding guitars ma'right? Loving the boot staring elements that are sprinkled on this here album as well. Immediate things aside this is some pretty calculated math rock.  Piles and Piles do a fine job of not only bringing the instrumental biz but the vocals are honestly a great addition. Tempo's here are medium to slow and thats more than fine..again back to the shoe gazing.  Get this clear though these song weren't crafted in zero gravity they all move along at a fair clip and remain interesting. Nice to see something a little left of center getting its due's.

pilesandpiles

Gulfer - Transcendals (2013)

Montreal based Gulfer have landed a clean left hook to the jaw. 

That is to say with last years split with fellow Canadians Fago. Sepia  well behind them these five songs are not only stronger but more self assured. Vocals are gruffly sung in a charming way that will remind many of the better moments of your favorite indie emo group. Couple that with some incredibly nimble tapping and drum workouts and its a 5 star dish waiting for your face. Stand out tracks are "Tiki Marathon" and the closer "Shoreline". Heres my deal with last songs. If you can nail the closer, it brings everything before it back into focus. Gulfer pull it off. This release easily slides them in the realm of great current math groups. Also it looks like they have a pretty heavy summer tour planned with Vesudeva. See you then guys.

 

gulfer 

 

Taking Meds - Demo (2013)

A demo? 

more like a declaration.

This music is god damn charming. 

It enters the room like your best friend from 10 years ago, nary a step missed. 

Of course with your favorite drink in hand. 

Seriously insanely well developed alternative math pop. Is this popular? if not it should be on everyones watch list. A bit of a throw back to wonderful bands from math's more formative times during the 90's (Polvo, Archers of Loaf Ect.) but very much updated. Self assured vocals, dime drop turns @#$%RQTF!! 

sorry 

just listen to this

right now

now

its just that good 

im done writing 

 I need to listen 12 more times.

honestly

DEMO