Dave Holland Quintet: "Not for Nothin'" (2002)

I can't say enough good things about this record. Dave Holland is among the best jazz bandleaders of all time. He got his start playing some crazy shit with Miles Davis, but has grown increasingly refined over the years.

This album is chock full of richly complex instrumental songs, like most albums posted on this blog. But the Dave Holland Quintet tells stories with their music better than most singer/songwriters.

The instrumentation is fairly unique. Robin Eubanks makes some crazy noises with a trombone. Chris Potter shreds saxophone like no other (what do you expect from a Steely Dan alum?). The band is rounded out by vibraphone, bass, and DRUMS. And the drums are nothing short of incendiary. Billy Killson ROCKS IT. In fact, I was given this album by my drum teacher when I was first learning jazz. So much for goofyass swing patterns!

Get yr mind sucked through the paper towel roll jazz tube thing by downloading this album here.

Penpal - UPDATE -

90's revival emotional math nostalgia core....or something of that nature.  Very laid back and easy to love. When former members of Marquette parted ways and the two guitarist moved away from one another, they started sharing musical ideas back and forth. Thus Penpal was born. Great for a drive or other such nightly activities. Don't miss out :)

Penpal

......AND! new EP! you'd be a be a fool to pass it up. Not to mention the guys from Penpal are telling you to download it and if that's not reason enough for you to stop stroking your facial hair I don't know what is.

Post Script EP

Volcano! - Paperwork (2008)

If hipsters went to music school and formed bands instead of grabbing laptops and drowning everything in reverb, it might sound like this fun avant-math-pop band from Chicago. The second track "Africa Just Wants to Have Fun" is a whimsical mathy romp not to be missed. The vocals are a little polarizing, a strange lovechild of Ted Leo, Thom Yorke, and Rufus Wainwright. They pirouette above the angular guitar riffs like a footrace through a junkyard full of broken glass. I am failing to properly describe this band, but hey, you can't win 'em all!

Paperwork

Pretend - Bones in the Soil, Rust in the Oil (2009)

It's hard for me to wrap my head around this band for a couple reasons. Lets get this out of the way first off, the guitar's are pretty boring.  That's heavy criticism I know especially when your talking about a genre thats fairly reliant on awesome off time guitars ( yes, math rock. what flip else do I talk about? :) They are light, airy, repetitive, occasionally aimless, lacking in dynamic's but they do get the job done not from lack of skill. Why even mention them then?
DRUMS!
This dude is seriously carrying all the weight on his back and its obvious to all because the production has him front and center. The reason I pick them apart is they have the potential to be soooo good. At times they really are good and everything comes together so nicely that you forget the past 4 minutes but then its back.  Below is the full length and 3 demo cast offs from an upcoming release.

Bones in the soil, Rust in the oil

demo

Diane Cluck - Oh Vanille

Slight change ups are always for good reason around this part of town, Diane Cluck is worth the notice.  Folk music has certain unfounded stigma's that seem to follow this most "academic" of musical genre's. Charges against? uninspired acoustic guitar music for old people that are bored and boring. You know where this is going. In every way these songs excel at giving hope to people that have written of Folk as such. Cluck has a wonderful sort of throw back voice that she has undeniable control over and isn't afraid to use. Acoustic guitar is played with a fairly unique rhythmic voice with interesting progressions to match for the genre. Folk is fat with female artists all trying to do the same things as one another. Diane distance's herself in every way and you don't need to be a fan of the genre to enjoy. Stand out track has to be "Easy to Be Around" I could try to sit here at 2:00AM and explain feebly how amazing this song is but let me just say that Diane harmonizing with herself is just too flipping tight for words. Any fan of music should be more than down and will be able to find at least something to enjoy here.

Oh Vanille

Enemies - We've Been Talking (2010)

O now this is some classy stuff right here my friends. I had for a time sat on an earlier two song EP of theirs
(Bits of Parrots / Feed me Seedles) which was extremely well done post-rock style math-rock. Having seen that they had a full length release I listened and was extremely impressed. These boys from Ireland have a dynamic sound going that is much more interesting post rock than the math end of things. That in fact does not stop it from being compositionally complex and mature.  What I enjoy most is that no sound is wasted everything instrument going on however small plays an integral role in setting the mood. I suppose I could prattle on and on about how solid every single one of these songs are...but I'm not going to. Instead let me just say that it's in everyone's best interest to listen or be sad.  


We've Been Talking (2010)

Fiasco: Native Canadians (2008)

I've only had this record for a short time, so it hasn't fully sunken in yet. But at first listen its pretty gnarly. The record is fairly spazz-tacular. Super tappy, kinetic, and aggressive. The interlocking guitar and bass parts manage to stay away from most annoying cliches and say something original and interesting. The songs themselves aren't the most cohesive, but the band captures a certain sound that ties everything together. Production is thin, but this actually lends a distinctive character to the album as opposed to being super annoying. The dudes are young, and one of them is the offspring of Steve Buschemi. So that's something.

Check it HERE.
(Edited by twinz)
and the Fiasco bandcamp with free download of "God Loves Fiasco"
http://thefiascoband.bandcamp.com/album/god-loves-fiasco-2

Bygones - by- (2009)

Both Nick Reinhart  (guitarist of Tera Melos) and Zach Hill (drummer of Hella) are at the top of the mathy heap when it comes to their respective instruments. It was really only natural when the two decided to start playing together and we are graced with this excellent release. What is refreshing is that both musicians have adapted to each others playing style in such a way that brings out the best in both players. Zach's detractors have always pointed out "pointless and endless" fills but with Bygones he really reigns it in nicely while style managing a chaotic and inventive presence on the kit. Nick plays with a very riff based style which actually turned out to be an evolution of his style and carried over directly to Tera Melos's newest release Patagonian Rats. Its a great album with lots of chemistry between the two players.  The pop vocalizing makes some of the more labyrinthine passages more palatable and just adds a great element in its own right.

By (2009)

Polaris - "Family" (2004)

Have I got a treat for you!

Well, only sort of.

Polaris is a Japanese band that's uh... quite dissimilar from everything else we post on here. I can't find too much information about them, though I know they're rather prolific. They apparently formed in the last decade after the dissolution of a group called Fishmans, continuing on with that band's style of dub-influenced pop. "Family" is maybe their 3rd album, but again, I'm not too sure, as information in English is sparse. Oftentimes it sounds like an aggressive mash of Jamiroquai and the Dave Matthews Band. And yeah, I know, that's like the musical equivalent of synthesizing AIDS and cancer.

But somehow it still works. Give it a chance, even if the first couple tracks don't stick.

Polaris - "Family" (2004)

(Note - Apparently this album just got remastered and re-released in June of this year. This is NOT that version.)

Meniscus - Absence of I (2007)

Post Metal can be a tricky sort of mistress...you see she's been around the block awhile and her "tricks" aren't all that original anymore.  Seriously look at all the acts that sound exactly like Isis. Australian group Meniscus take a familiar approach with some welcome variations. For one its pretty ambient and jazzy at times. Sure these Aussie's get heavy handed with the metal chug but this is certainly more tech than it lets on. I'm fairly certain they have just released a new album with a new drummer this year but I am woefully unfamiliar.

My apologies for not posting as frequently. I am in the throws of purchasing my first home so bear with my sporadic posting habits.

Absence of I (2007)

metaghostin' Vol. VIII - Don't Be Such a Dissonancy

Don't Be Such a Dissonancy - 50'34"
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Ornette Coleman : "Skies of America" :: US Congress : ?
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1. Sonic Youth - "'Cross the Breeze" / Daydream Nation (1988)
2. Zvoov - "How Dare You How Dare Me" / Everbrown EP (2011)
3. Brontide - "Limestone Ink" / Sans Souci (2011)
4. Soft Machine - "As If" / Fifth (1972)
5. Natsumen - "Septemujima" / Endless Summer (2005)
6. Blue Cranes - "Here Is You, Here Is Me" (Ethan Rose remix) / Oversea Orbits (2010)
7. Massacre - "Carrying" / Killing Time (1981)
8. Zevious - "The Noose" / After the Air Raid (2009) 
9. Kayo Dot - "The Awkward Wind Wheel" / Blue Lambency Downward (2008)
10. Dysrhythmia - "Will the Spirit Prevail?" / Barriers and Passages (2006)

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P.S. - Natsumen got a new record coming out next month, ready to cure all your impotence issues.

City of Ifa - Blue Shoes (2011)

I had stumbled on this Orlando, Florida three piece awhile ago with their first EP. Very raw, lots of young talent, technical and very directionless. It was soon cast off into the void that is many albums that cross my ear holes. Fast forward a few releases and City of Ifa are a band in contention for the best Fall of Troy esque group. Truthfully this is not fair to say but the comparison is apt in a few general ways. They both travel in that riff driven post-hardcore math rock with soaring vocals. I'm here to tell you however that Ifa is heads better than the now defunct Fall of Troy (and who really cared much about their last release anyway?) These are highly technical rock songs with clear structural goals and if your small tender brain can wrap your head around the sweet ass twisting riffs well your in for a treat.  Surprisingly great vocals going on as well again. HIGH recommendation on this one folks.  I know no one has anything better to do on a Sunday anyway sooooooo listen away.


Blue Shoes (2011)

A Minor Forest - Inindependence

Classic and classy is how this early 90's San Francisco based math rock group could be described. Like their peers of the moment they subscribed to the darker end of the math rock color wheel. Rhythms are where the group stands out the most and drummer Andee Connors does a great job keeping everything reigned in. With only a few releases this three piece tends to get less praise than is deserved for sure. Can get a bit noisy in spots but alas twas a mark of the times and doesn't really hurt at all. In my opinion A Minor Forest bears a closer resemblance to our modern math rock than other groups of the Albini decade so if nothing else its worth a look.


Inindependence

37500 Yens - Astero (2007)

Bonjour! comment êtes-vous aujourd'hui spadassins? Er umm sorry cant help but slip into french when we have the excellent 37500 Yens from France gracing us with their brand of excellent math rock. Well I guess to be fair we have some other prevalent elements getting thrown in the lions den. You've got some clear love of hardcore as well as more low key ambient styles. The feeling is almost like an update to early 90's Louisville stalwarts when they are chilling out on a nice slow groove. Wordless and complex when they are in "hardcore" mode. You would think by the description that the guitar would be a titch forgettable but actually stays both rhythmic and melodically present throughout the duration of the album, a surprising achievement if you ask me. Unfortunately this is the extent of their releases a sad state of affairs. You need not be a francophone to dig into this dish.

Astero (2007)

Native - Wrestling Moves

A band that had the promise of dazzling the ball nut out of us with their 2009 release Wrestling Moves.  Well I guess this is how I felt at least based on the single "What Are You Dylan In My House?" from their first ep "We Delete, We Erase". That song had blistering guitar and drums that sounded like the train was about to come off rails before kick-ass station. Their sound is one that isn't really heavily saturated in the math rock "scene" if you even want to go that route. Its a post-punk/post-hardcore style of math rock with some shout style vocals. Sadly drums are not front and center because they are frequently inspired. It's a solid outing and these guys work well when the vocals are turned down and the guitars get some room to breath and play memorable licks. Maybe not something everyone will like but when the mood strikes it hits the spot.


We Delete, We Erase

Wrestling Moves (2009)

Anamanaguchi - Dawn Metropolis

8-bit rock music that is more rock than video game is exactly what many of this style are lacking. Utilizing live instrumentation always helps out any bands game especially here. This has been a favorite of my son's for awhile now and reason being is its just damn fun. The first half of this album is front loaded with some really great songs and as for the second half.....well lets just say they are lucky to have a few "continues" under their belt.  Problem being is when they try to act like they are writing music for a video game soundtrack they fell victim to copy cat-er-ing. This is rock music with a pumping 8-bit heart not the other way around. Chances are high though that people normally scared off by those classic bleeps and bloops.


Dawn Metropolis (2009)

US Maple - Long Hair In Three Stages (1995)

When your group is formed around the basis of reconstructing rock and roll music and keeping only essential elements id say you have some serious work ahead of you.  For US Maple’s 1995 first full length it was a chance to prove just that.

Recorded by Jim O’Rourke it can certainly be a slightly challenging outing if your not used to squigly guitars.  Not to mention Al Johnson’s crazy vocals that fluctuate between hauntingly soft, to odd moaning then to loud histronics. If that doesn’t sound very rock and roll your right it really doesn’t. After a couple songs though and you’ll really start to get the feeling that beneath everything theres a rock and roll heart pumping.  Even arguably the album’s best song  “Letter to ZZ Top” is an homage to classic rock.

As far as points of reference this certainly has the 90′s guitar rock feel to it however loose it might be.  The math rock term is of course thrown around with this group and is fairly applicable.  Although not as precise or fast as most math groups it certainly holds true.  Royal Trux put in a blender with Jesus Lizard and mixed at varying speeds might put you somewhere near their sound.  Releases that followed would slowly morph them toward more “conventional” structures but no less interesting.  This is one of the best.


Long Hair In Three Stages

(Updation) Tangled Thoughts of Leaving - Deaden the Fields (2011)

Previously Posted Feb 7th

: Tangled Thoughts of Leaving have been a constant source of extremely unique Experimental Math/Jazz Rock. They are also singular in the fact that they feature out front the not so often used piano for Math influenced tunes. With their 2011 release "Deaden the Fields" the broken and technical style that they hold as their own has been sharpened to a razor point on this release. The rough edges of odd breaks and occasional technicality without purpose has been sanded down into an amazingly epic release. As such when the fat gets trimmed off the bone you usually run the risk of taking some meat with it too. "Deaden the Fields" loses any such semblance of grind that the band initially started with which is a shame. Don't let that deter you from the old snatch and grab. You wont find this to be a double jump into new territory for these Australian gentlemen but bet on the fact that this really is as good as it gets for this particular style. Enjoy.

Deaden The Fields (2011)
 

The Reign of Kindo

First off thanks must go to Metaghost for dropping this warhead on me not too long ago. If you've been following the mix's their name has surfaced more than a few times, let me tell you why. The Reign of Kindo hails from Buffalo NY fairly close to my neck of the woods. The great part here is the seamless blend of styles that really makes this better than many bands that try to milk this ilk. You have the base which I guess you could say is indie rock but is equal parts mixed with jazz rock as well. Structurally its a titch poppy to be honest. Please don't be afraid by this statement or you will be passing up a really special band. Vocals are top notch soaring through runs. Just incredibly tasteful yet powerful and well trained which is something a lot of bands should take note of. Progressive influences are brought in through the back door via the jazz rock and this just adds interest to each piece. If you can guess where this is going your right, the drums. Steve Padin's licks and fills are a constant interest here to say the least. Shit is golden.


Rhythm Chord and Melody (2008)

This Is What Happens (2010)

Serpent Throne - White Summer-Black Winter (2010)

Serpent Throne's White Summer-Black Winter is a gnarly instrumental album that's more rock and less stoner/doom than usual (although a few church bells do ring out here and there for good measure). So if you're in the mood for some pretty straight-up 70s throwback metal without the trebly caterwauling of the old-timers, scope this out. There are plenty of dynamics from track to track to keep it interesting, even if the album as a whole dully aches for some Greg Lake-ish vocals. The only major drawback in my opinion is that this band suffers from "boring drummer syndrome," which would typically be an instant deal-breaker for an instrumental band like Serpent Throne, if it weren’t for such righteous riffage. All in all, White Summer-Black Winter feels like a classic, something you’d pluck out while rifling through your dad’s old tape cassettes and be left scratching your head, which is unique given that it was released a year ago. I give it three chicken wings and a celery stick, without the ranch. This is a good thing.

Serpent Throne - White Summer-Black Winter (2010) - 320 kbps