Dull Blade: Daft Punk- Discovery (2001)

I had never really known what to make of Daft Punk until recently. I was under the false impression that they had been around since the early 2000s, were maybe some kind of Moby or Fatboy Slim that I had never paid attention to, and that they had written that Harder Better Faster Stronger song. That was the extent of my knowledge, and then the other day the Internet provided me with an excellent looped gif/ music mashup of both Ron Swanson (from Parks and Recreation) drunk dancing to a sample of the 15 second teaser Daft Punk released of a new song. It is excellent. After going back to watch/ listen to it a few times, I started digging.

I ended up with their second album, Discovery. The first thing that surprised me in reading about the band was that not only do these two fools produce everything, but also play a majority of the instruments as well as sing (the often times heavily vocoded, choppy and robotic) vocals. When tracks like Digital Love and Something About Us came on, I was pleasantly surprised to hear verses and choruses as well as some pretty tasty harmonies. Most of those elements are lacking in the typical techno styles I was expecting to hear, and although a majority of the 14 songs on the album fall between the 3-5 minute mark, the album as a whole flows very naturally from track to track, as most good techno accomplishes with less tracks in longer durations. It is a satisfying listen, and more than anything I have found it to be some incredibly great spring time music.

I was also quite surprised to learn that the 2nd to last track, Face to Face, was not released as a single. It is definitely my favorite track on the album. Amazing production, great instrumentation, and really catchy vocals. Its been stuck in my head nonstop for days. Under the video for Face to Face, I also included their first album, 1997s Homework. Im just starting to listen, and although it is much more of a techno/ house album, its nice seeing how they evolved to the awesomeness of Discovery with tracks like Around the World. Bonus points go to the band for collaborating with an animation studio and director in turning their concept album into a full feature anime with the music serving as both narration and soundtrack. Blam:


homework
discovery

Pjaro - Why is No One Here (2013)

Pjaro is a two piece with some heart and an impressive amount of chops to match. Mostly instrumental but with the occational addition of tasteful vocals. There is something very familiar about these guys but in a nostalgic way like how classic indie rock gets you. Each song is very much its own animal but while still keeping with their own flavor. From slow burners to some pretty technical speedier fare the more I listen the more I become hooked. This should be on everyones check out list. Well worth your time. 

pjaro

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 

 

metaghostin' Vol. XVI - Ossification vs. Reification

Ossification vs. Reification - 43'15"

///

1. Goon / rara avis / rara avis (2012)
2. Hoods Up / Legs Like Tree Trunks / Future Reference (2012)
3. The Bad Place / Godzilla Black / Godzilla Black (2010) (Link NSFW - Cartoon Titties)
4. Brad Shitt / Gastric Band / Party Feel (2012)
5. Passive Defence / Hawks & Oxen / Shadow Matter (2011)
6. Living as Ghosts / Likes Lions / First the Head, Later the Tale (2012)
7. Ghost Wail / Stomacher / Sentimental Education (2009)
8. Give Up Your Ghost / Losses / DEMOS (2012)
9. 天狗 / Zazen Boys / Stories (2012)
10. Talking With Planets / Jardín de la Croix / 187 Steps to Cross the Universe (2013)

///

This one's been a long time brewing, which meant I got to append this most ridiculous Jardín de la Croix math-epic at the end because sheeeeeeeeeeeeit.

As always, if you missed the original posting of the albums these songs are from, either search our archives or simply click the damn name in the tracklisting and it will either take you to the post or the bandcamp.

We Scare Coyotes - PF Flyers (DEMO)

They must know my math rock weakness!? 

Strings in math 

its all over.

ok ok ok 

Think a little old school mercury program with violin. But yes incredibly well structured post rock by way of mathy goodness. We Scare Coyotes are a five piece by way of Texas. What I am impressed the most with though is that we have:

1. A Demo

and 

2. A LIVE Demo

and its just so good. Thankfully the violin isn't content to just sit back and solo but takes various rolls throughout a song. 

Enough talking and reading. Go listen. 

http://wescarecoyotes.bandcamp.com/

TROPICARTEL - LEMONWATER (2013)

 

 Great rhythms going on for

Math Pop 

Welcoming the vocals in. 

Breath deep. 

 

 

tropicartel

No Shoes - Chocolate Pudding (Single) 2013

Great Intro

Solid as hell Single 

Really appreciate the left turns that are thrown in by the guitars.  Structured as mild mannered indie math but this is anything but. Some noise pop / shoegaze elements goes a long way in giving these guys a very unique sound. Its a hard road to travel for a lot of bands that try adding atmosphere to their cutting math rock. No Shoes pull this off really well without  muddying their vision. Certainly a more creative breed is at work on this and for that gold stars all around. Highly interested in hearing more...much more. 

 

Did I mention I love that intro? 

 Intro's need to make a comeback. 

Lets start here.

no shoes 

Quadrupède - Quadrupède (2013)

French electro math duo. 

Starts off pretty unassuming but give it a moment and trust that things just

get better and better. Incredible balance of electronic elements mixed with interesting post rock builds and the beating heart of math rock. Some genuinely unique sounds here along with some stellar percussion. A favorite of the moment actually.

Don't

Miss

This

 

Quad 

Sparhawks - Demo 2012

Some pretty refreshing instrumental post-rock musics going down. Mathy? eh not as much as id like but certainly some smatterings here and there.

 

Boston group Sparhawks have a familiar sound sure, but that doesn't take away from the fact that songs always have an incredible honesty. Not only that but its a lot of fun. Throw in some pretty sensational drumming moments and varied guitar atmosphere and thats a recipe for some solid ass rock music. 

 

Like I said this is familiar territory for a lot of groups....but to see this young group succeeding on all cylinders makes me that much more excited to see whats in store for the full length. Good Stuff.

sparhawk

inside//outside - inside//outside (2013)

lets take a stroll off the path for a moment. 

Brooklyn Trio inside//outside just dropped their deput and I've gotta say

right out of the gates its a dazzler. Truthfully this owes much more to Jazz / Jazz Fusion than math rock however that should not deter anyone. Electronic and post - rock elements as well make themselves known. Highly recommend if your into excellent jazz that is interested in pushing some boundaries. Very atmospheric. Very tasty. 

 

inside//outside 

ps track three is like some kind of electro djent jazz monster. throwing a violin solo in the middle? genius. 

If you enjoy the process of sound entering your ears. this will make you smile so many times the outsides of your face might hurt.

Jardín De La Croix - Colorado Springs Single (2013)

New Jardín De La Croix!!

Be still my beating heart.
 Unfamiliar?
We got yer ass

Seriously incredible Instrumental prog math from Spain.
Only one song so far but its a killer

jardin de le croix

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

Hellekin Mascara - Wanna be Dino (2011)

not a lot of explanation needed.

Italian 

post math

delicious

 

Wanna be Dino (2011) 

An Aesthetic Anaesthetic - Names (2012)

This Chicago group has some riffs to share. What kind? some post-metal for sure with

progressive rock structures and our very favorite math rock veneer over top. It makes for some really nice distorted instrumental rock with that right amount of attitude. I have to say that if a passages is moving a bit slow for ya just relax because these guys move through influences in the span of a song. Your always bound to come out on the other end with at least a couple awesome things. Will be very interested to see what they have in store next for our ears.

names (2012)

Hooting Everywhere - Horse Parking (2012)

There are many things I am a large sucker for. 

One man math rock projects rate right up there

Hooting Everywhere is the work of one Devin Powers and as it states on the bandcamp

"Music written in the style of 90s indie emo."

So grease the gears on the time machine because this is going to take you back. Really well done obviously or we wouldn't all be here gathered around the ugh er interweb. Some mathy guitar's I would say though but if the words 90's or emo perked your ears then this is for you.  

Hooting Everywhere (2012) 

A Far Off Reason - XXXXXXXXXX (2012)

Math Rock via France 

post-rock type builds going on here as far as layering but very much math rock oriented. The horns and strings that are featured really help flesh the sound out as well. No down time on this one all kinds of action. 

xxxxxxxxx

Zeus! - Opera (2013)

The wait is over.

This has been on my anticipated list for awhile now and I must say "worth it" all the way. 

For those that are not familiar Zeus! is an Italian two piece that follows no guiding star. Math rock rhythms snuggle up to industrial hardcore sized riffs and screaming. But it'd be too easy to end it there but there are a lot of progressive rock elements scattered about as well. Some brutal stuff to be sure and maybe not everyones tea. Give it a shot there are some wonderful moments in this full length. Two pieces usually scare me off but these guys have locked it down so hard you can not deny their power.

opera (2013)

Vasquez - EP426 (2013)

O Man

New Vasquez ep

Is it good?

Is that even a real question?

Did they somehow get super fucking groovy as shit? jesus christmas

This is quality monster sized math rock going on. If your not familiar maybe think Adebisi Shank after seven red bulls? Just incredibly pleasing. Easily their best release yet so dont wait on this pup. 

2/10 Edit: Ok so Goblin called me out yesterday and the Adebisi Shank comparison isn't as apt as say one to a more rock centric three trapped tigers. forgive and forget.

vasquez

Hit Home - Happily Ever ... (2013)

New (ish) Boston three piece Hit Home are a double dragon of combined forces. Van Gogh Sky member Mateo Garcia and Civil member Angelo Gambatesa along with drummer Corey Best. Sorry Corey, I'm unsure what other group(s) you may be from. If your an avid Sword fellower I did write up Civil last year (wink wink nudge) I like that this certainly splits the difference between those two groups. High energy yet able to switch to some slow emotional stuff. Its also worth mentioning there are some really quality instrumental arrangements going down. Kinda a bit of an emo vibe as well? but certainly math rock focused. Wish this was LONGER but alas an EP is an EP and for now we must be happy with what we are given. Great stuff stuff going on, check it. 

Hit Home

Xavii - Our Recent Futures (2012)

The amount of groups I have yet to post from 2012 is a little maddening...

ANYWAY

 

Xavii are a Georgia based group that amass a healthy stable of influences into 

one that they fully own. Slight jazzy prog with tender interweaving math guitars. More than capable vocals help round out the equation as well. This however is not a snore bomb by any means 

and they frequently loosen their belts to exercise some 

very interesting stops and starts. 

As always I wouldn't steer you fine folks and folkettes wrong, this is quality biz.

xavii