Bear Bones - Seat Save Infinity (2011)

Bear Bones is Mike Osso (guitarist from Father Figure) so automatically you've got a possibility that this is going to be freaking sweet sauces...it is by the way.

Again we've got the electronic aspects on full display but really this to me smacks of some modern day Jazz Fusion...albeit one functioning on a creative level rather than knocking on old mahavishnu's door.
Lets just say this is a bit of a departure on the surface from Father Figure, but peel back the rind and you do have some similarities.

Testimonials from my children:

"It sounded like a video game at first then it changed to some really good music. It sounded kinda weird...not really weird but when it changed it sounded like something on the radio"
Oni (8 years old)

"Maybe its from a game boy game? I thought it was cool"
Maeson (4 years old)

"I liked it. It sounded like aliens were invading the earth"
Tatiana (7 years old)


Some confusing and glowing testimonial. But they all were dancing as they listened so mission accomplished.

Bear Bones

Falcon Punch!

Seems like we are straying further and further from "traditional" math rock. This is by all accounts some pretty straight up electronic style bizz. But it has a nice organic instrumentality that is at times pretty jazzy (throw in mention of math rock here). So if this sort of thing tends to scare you off I can assure you there are plenty of things to like here with Falcon Punch!. Also worth noting is how has no one named their band Falcon Punch until now?

FP!

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
________________________________

Paris electro math popsters with a penchant for danceable rhythms.
 meetmeatthelighthouse

_________________________________

Pennsylvania indie pop post punk with a titch of shimmy shaking.
edelweiss

Legs Like Tree Trunks - Future Reference (2012)

Pencil Vania based math popsters "Legs Like Tree Trunks" have unleashed their newest EP on our ears.  Their previous which I have been shamefully sitting on for too long was a pretty sure footed effort to be sure.

BUT BUT BUT THIIIISS WOOOO BUDDY!!

Its got that nice gentle pacing with excellent mathy guitar interplay and some nice little twists while still keeping a leg in some accessible pop territory. Loads of bands are currently navigating in this territory and I can say that LLTT have as firm a grasp as I've heard lately.

(me)What I can't shake and this I believe to be to their credit reminds me of Maps and Atlases a bit

(other me).......who? O you mean the now current pop/classic rock band Maps and Atlases?

(me) No No Before that! long ago they used to be math pop...sigh...
this just has that old maps feeling a bit. nothing samey just in spirit. 

Enough comparing because these kitties stand on their own without the finger pointing. Emotional stuff at that I should mention, some really lifting vocal melodies. This is, as I have said before, a difficult feature of the genre. On this release they have absolutely nailed the landing and should be receiving some glowing praise from the judges.

This Judge is giving them 4 3/4 california rolls out of 5. I ate the other quarter.

Future Reference (2012)

Penguinsmeat - 2 +1 (2012)

Seriously this track off of Penguinsmeat's new release slay's cockatrices and dark mages..

(Authors note: I have noticed eating while reviewing has leaked some food vernacular into print...seems as though anime isn't helping either.)

ANYWAY yes this three piece from Russia is awesome. They are builders songwriting wise, but truly the payoff's are sweet and expertly...executed.  Math Rock ala Post Rock Station with a layover at pedal ville. My musical ADD didn't even cause a fuss at all! (surprising).

Everyone should be paying attention because this is some wicked good biz. Hit them up.

bndcamp

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

Squeamish - Hammerhead (2012)

Been sitting on this for a minute and couldn't really give you an answer to why. This is some blasting out of the gates high energy guitar mayhem. Its a scenario where spirits of departed pop punk bands have possesed the bodies of math rock guitarists.  It gives it an interesting edge and vocals are highly present and enjoyable. Dare I say a more polished take on the whole philly noodle scream scene. Guitars and Vox way more interesting here. Some pretty sly breakdowns crop up here and there and the mathy guitar interplay never lets up.  Info looks to be pretty scant on these cats so if anyone has the 411 drop it off. In any event its a recipe for you listening to these 5 songs.

Squeamish

Likes Lions - First the Head Later the Tail (2012)

Vocal centric alt-rock with a generous slathering of math from England. What you might be noticing first off is that your not going to get buried in time shifts and dissonant guitar heroics but you can expect some pretty powerful pop hooks...the good kind. Clearly a lot of blood and tears has been put into ensuring that these 5 songs run as a cohesive statement of who they are as a group.  So if you need the lighter side of your math rock cravings satiated while still getting some polished songwriting and excellent singing then I suggest you do what is best and click below.

Likes Lions

That's Rugby - Wide Eyed (2012)

Incubus and Minus the Bear are throwing a pool party and thing's get a little "progressive rock" if you know what I mean. So in a nutshell this is what you're in for. Sound good? yea its pretty aces.

BANDCAMP

mike.curtin - Indecisive Euphoria (2012)

Ok so Darren at New Noise Archives posted this fine piece of math up the other day. Which before I get any further, people should go there and check his blog out. He clearly puts time and effort into finding these bands, its good stuff.

Anywho Mike Curtin solo math rock stuff that is truly the voice of one man. Excellent production values and some really awesome structural progressions. Some electronic elements but this is math rock at its finest. Mark my words just one of those albums that should be getting major major props for sticking its neck out in places. You will not be ashamed when you bring this philly home, she's a beaut.

indecisive-euphoria

Grand Piano - $1000 (2012)

We know you enjoy the math but what about blues? country?  Alright I'm not throwing something totally off course here but listen this stuff is very much in love with those throw back styles. Yes they do manage to incorporate some sprightly guitar lines and interesting song structures. Some songs are decidedly more blues rock and others not so much. It is however still a very interesting and enjoyable listen. Very fitting vocals if I do say so myself.

$1000

Cartel Carnage - Incorporated (2012)

**You walk into a bar**

Classic metal is having an arm wrestling contest in the corner with Progressive rock....typical.

Front and center grabbing drinks of course is ol' drinking buddies J. Zorn and Mike P.

I did notice upon entering as well the atypical choice of music the DJ was playing...some sort of free jazz.

Interesting stuff here at the "Cartel Carnage"

Incorporated

Rara Avis - III (2012)

I am a large sucker for acoustic guitars...I know I have possibly said this in other posts but I really mean that with all my heart. This here Rara Avis should be the night cap to every single day of your life. Acoustic guitar duo that melts down a bit of folk conventions with spanish guitar and yes some light little mathy turns.  It's just straight up gorgeous stuff. Spread it on your ears then spread it to those around you.

III (2012) 

Pneu - Highway to Health (2011)

Frantic, crazy, heavy chaos with some serious riffs, Pneu is 2 dudes from France who can play the shit out of their instruments. Really glad they had this album done by Kurt Ballou who just turns everything to gold. Really heavy gold.  A French hardcore/punk version of Hella, they are by far a worthy listen.

BNDCMP

HTH

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)

Cleft - Whale Bone (2012)

Off the path for a bit but I'm back on it to shell out the amazing Duo that is Cleft.

This is not your ordinary ram and jam rock duo. These gents from Manchester rip shirt up with wide powerful strokes and you will never question their motives. From a songwriting standpoint they can command their way around town surprisingly well for two people. Even when things cool it you'll never find yourself wishing for anything extra. I get a bit of an Adebisis Shank vibe in over all drive and pedal usage but if thats the comparison then props to them. Worthy of an extended ear listen.

whale bone

Healthy Fears - The Dreaded Diamond (2011)

Piano Jazz Folk
Female Vox
Mathy Rhythms
Fairly Complex Drums

Walkin that line hard. Certainly more folk based but some pretty great stuff. bit of a change up. Anything up there sound neato? eh? well give it a shot. Can come across straight forward in places but hey I'm all about grabbing the cat on the limb, what? more coffee? yes please.

The Dreaded Diamond

Victor Villarreal - Invisible Cinema (2012)

Arguable in that Victor is one of the few humans that you can directly sight (among a few chosen others) responsible for the molding of what we have as ...cough ...cough "current math rock"

invis cine

Ruins-alone - Ruins-alone (2011)

Im not the largest fan of going backwards in my observations of this lovely genre. When I do its for a damn good reason.

TATSUYA YOSHIDA

Hopefully at this time you are nodding your heads thinking
"yes Tatsuya from mega amazing Japanese math duo Ruins"

Or perhaps remembering a previous post? 

Anyway I'm done smacking. Check this out.
Jesus this dude loves his Magma.

Ruins Alone

Self-Evident - Endings (2009)

New album out. Clicky the bandcamp link. Back to you CJ...
__________________________

1 litre Don Cab, a dash of Shipping News, half a cup of Faraquet, 34grams Japandi and a sprinkle or two of  Tool or A Perfect Circle maybe?!

Every track on this is a gem. Some great live vids on Youtube too!

A math-rock fav of mine! this album never grows old on me. Can't wait for their new release later this year on the wonderful Stiff Slack Records.

DOWNLOAD
BANDCAMP