Koala - TL;DR (2013)

The actual title of this release is "We are Like the Spider. We Weave our Lives and then Move Along in it. We are Like the Dreamer. Who Dreams and then Lives in the Dream."  This is a most unfortunate title.  Egregiously long titles are pretty hard to pull off, especially when the intention doesn't appear to be humor.

Koala plays a pretty ambitious brand of post-rock.  For a band so lavish with words, the compositions are surprisingly tight.  Layers of harmonized guitar snake through polite bass grooves and smartly-executed drums.  The tunes can be somewhat academic and polished, but it works well for the group - they're majorly enjoyable to listen to.  The songs are understated but kinetic - different parts are constantly popping in and out, and things never get boring.  Super clean production and instrumental proficiency allow some interesting timbres to speak up.

Koala has shown marked improvement with this EP.

Drunken Forest - EP (2013)

I'm not even 10% sure I know exactly how to start this. Baffling I know. This was posted fairly recently on the math rock reddit page for those wondering how I stumbled upon this.

So we have here the work of one individual that is very obviously in love with a wide range of music. The one thing that does run throughout is the obvious love of Math rock and its rhythms. Have to throw in the progressive tag in as well for the odd breaks and runs. What I appreciate most though is the sense of experimentation that runs throughout these pieces. From one moment to the next you will be genuinely surprised and delighted, and it takes a lot for me to say it and mean that. There's horn samples, Traditional spanish guitar breaks, straight up tech metal and the icing on the cake.... A Fensler Films GI Joe PSA. Be still my beating heart. LOVE THIS <3

How My Children Interpret "Math Rock"

From my albeit limited understanding of what this blog is "supposed" to be about I feel it important to share as many aspects of this genre as possible. Our primary goal here is to showcase new and exciting talent. However it is always important to reflect on not only what this whole genre means to us ...but also to those who will come after us.

My kids are aware of math rock in passing. They've listened to it before, but ive never sat down and discussed exactly what it was they were listening to. At their ages ( 9, 7 and 5) ((my 2 year old was alseep)) I don't feel like genre classification should be something for them to think about just yet. For the most part I let them make their own choices on the music they listen to. We all have mp3 players in the house and as the soul parent responsible for the music adding and subtracting (my wonderful wife leaves these issues to me) I do slip in things that I am interested in that I feel they would also like/think would be cool.

Olde Pine - The Steve French EP (2013)

Emo anyone? well not exactly.  Olde Pine have that familiar scream based early 90's feel. What interests me is that from time to time these guys do run away into some pretty catchy rhythmic breaks.I wouldn't call it "math rock" but it perked my ear holes to be sure. Check er out if your into that sort of thing.

Interview with Alicia and Mike of Oshwa

So you may remember a band that made quite a stir in the community with their release of their song "Old Man Skies."  That was Oshwa. Their distinct sound has been described in a lot of ways, it's even been referred to as "butterfly math pop". They are currently working on an LP that I am highly anticipating and I was lucky enough to get in contact with Alicia Walter for an interview with her and Mike both. And wow, let me tell you, I couldn't have asked for a better first Interview.

Minoans - Linear A (2011) + Linear B (2012)

Minoans are an electrifying trio hailing from the English Midlands. They come bearing two gifts, in the form of (1) somewhat short (but definitely sweet) album and (1) EP. Inside, you'll find just under 41 minutes of mathy emo goodness in total, complete with beautiful, resonant lyricism and that majorly great math rock instrumental work that you all seem to love so much. If you don't mind unique, poetic lyrics and vocals that are somehow seen by some poor, misguided souls as odd-sounding, (Come on, people! Unique is a much better word.) you're in for one hell of a listening session. What're you waiting for? Dig in.

You can find them on the Facebook as well as their own website.

Linear A
Linear B

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.

Mahogany Hand Glider - Terrain Station

Last time! on Plenty of Swords!


I am completely excited that I received a wonderful heads up about Mahogany Hand Glider's new EP that is on its way.  What is completely refreshing to see is the amount of progress these guys have made since their first set of songs. Having listened already I can safely say these impressive statements:

1.The Riff's hit harder.

2. Post Rock build up's and let downs of the past for MHG have disappeared into some incredible transitions for these guys. 

3.Where there was a less clear influence of jazz, math and prog before we now get these in a more complete light.  You could have called these guys a Post-rock band before and its just not nearly as apt any longer.

4.Hold on to your hats everyone because these gentlemen are poised for some blowing up. Lets help make that a reality.

PS The official date this comes out is April 29th :)

Interview with A.M. Overcast's Alexander Litinsky

Album artwork for Pellow, A.M. Overcast's latest release

Alexander Litinsky created A.M. Overcast as a solo project for an explorative multi-instrumentalist.  In this first of a new interview series on Plenty of Swords, I got to know more about Alex's various musical projects, writing process, and performances in unlikely locations. Catch him at a show and you'll find out that the lighthearted, polite Canadian stereotype is not lost, even on the twentysomething indie musician.

P.o.S: So, lets start with basic stuff. I mean, I know your name, but tell me your name, how old are you and where exactly are you from?

AL: I am Alex Litinsky, I am 23.. I think. Yeah, 23. It's funny, man, you hit 20 and it just all just goes out the window.

I'm also 23, actually, and sometimes I find I have to think about it before answering. 

But, yeah, I'm from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada - born and raised. Never really moved around, I'd like to though. We just got snow yesterday. 

Did you? Wow, it's like hot here. 

Yeah we got a bunch of slushy snow, it just sucks. Summer's never gonna come. 

Yeah, you're probably tired of it. I mean, a couple hours north of here has snow until around April or May. So why don't you, if you can bring it all to mind, give me a rundown of your gear?

The Physics House Band - Horizons / Rapture (2013)

If any of you follow this sort of thing ;) an up and coming group called Physics House Band have released their first official album. I myself have been waiting patiently for such an event. I have heard most of these songs already and grown to enjoy each in their own particular ways. So what do they sound like? Well your going to hear this thrown around a lot in reviews...JAZZ FUSION!

but why now? why the tag? why not just say jazzy math rock?

Which yes you could argue in places that this is jazzy progressive math rock and in other spots its some legit fusion. This is where things get a bit complicated. As said most of these songs I am familiar with so how about the new ones? throw away filler tracks, minor points off. But how does everything sound together?.....

ehhh I dont know its just missing something for me...or maybe its too much? Ive been trying to think of exactly what it is. The filler tracks try to tie these songs together that are far and away pretty different and it doesn't work. Sometimes the crazy instrumental displays of prowess have me on the edge of my seat but more often than not I come up grasping sand to remember anything melodic or memorable. compositional song writing here is flawless but taken at once I'm missing some heart with what I thought was there before.

Many people are going to disagree with me...I understand..I do. This is well done stuff to be sure and most of you are already going crazy for it. Very interested to hear others detailed opinions.

Papaye - Tennis (2013)

Something very charming about this three-piece unit from France.

Noisey? a bit

Mathy? yea in a not super technical way but.

Tropical? huh? well now that you mention it a bit.

Check er out.

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.

Sparhawks - The Cabin (2013)

Last Time! on Lots of Kni.....er ugh PLENTY OF SWORDS!

Boston Based Sparhawks finally drop their first full length and they have three songs up on the bandcamp for a sampler platter. Deff. some more post-rock instrumentals here with slight math flirtations.  Production is top notch as well with a great drum sound. Have to say that I did expect a bit more progress toward some end of things...either more math or more post-rock but balance is still managed here as last time. Not a bad thing at all. The guys have obviously become tighter and are able to pull off some slicker break downs as a result. Check it but out for sure. 

ps. a bit sad they pulled the demo down

sparhawks

Facing - October (2013)

**(Throws Hands Up in Jubilation***

You could honestly dice this track up and make almost make an entire amazing album. It is a lot of differing styles but done so correctly that they blend like they were always meant to sit next to each other at the dinner table....and what a god damn spread it is! I'm not going to divulge exactly how its set up because I feel like that ruins the fun a bit on this one. As you may know I'm not a large fan of posting one track bizz unless it really is worthy. Trust that this is something everyone should be listening to and on the lookout for more. A Dublin based artist that has a bright future ahead surely, best new music I've heard in a minute.

I dare you to only listen to this once :)

FACING

Sounds like Braille - Right Out of Left Field, Straight to the Middle of Nowhere (2004)

Yes I know what you might be thinking...

When was the last time I posted something not within the last couple years?!

2004's truly wonderful album by Sounds Like Braille is a group that has many influences but honestly they are very much their own animal. Be clear that this is not incredibly busy math rock. It does have early 90's throwback feel to it occasionally and the songs are structured more along the lines of classical composition and post-rock not too mention the clear jazz influence. The hair does get let down to rock on a good amount of these songs.On the whole however its the pace is kept at a medium while allowing room for the instruments to tangle. Im not going to spend an absurd amount of time on this just know that this is a unique listen and a highly rewarding one at that. It is in my opinion a group that rarely gets the props they deserve so hopefully this brings a few more peeps in their direction.

TK - Flower (from the Album Flowering)

I'm thinking about starting a video thing every now and again of awesome math rock that I cant find proper on the tube.

This is the solo work of TK the guitarist of Ling Tosite Sigure.  It is a bit like LTS but more personal and ambient while keeping the same frantic math rock nature.

Cordyceps - Fragmented Structures (2011)

Cordyceps is a Belgian two-piece that marries some interesting elements. Electronic music along side live guitars.  The rhythms are mathy but you could also argue that its more of a case of glitch and breakcore with some pleasant guitars. Dont be fooled though because this is worth the time to check into. You could easily dismiss this as gimmicky, as surface descriptions smack of such things.  Its not new by any means but its different enough and done with enough love that it deserves its spot certainly. Have to say as well that as is not usually the case the spoken word samples help add a great dynamic.




cordyceps

No Metal in this Battle - Demo (2012)

Greetings a salutations Math heads I have been spending some quality time posting on the FANTASTIC math rock reddit page and highly recommend anyone unfamiliar to head over and give er a gander. 

Any who No Metal in this Battle are a four piece that hail from Luxemburg. Their style is post rock in structure with the jazz and math butted up alongside. To be honest I was not crazy about the first song and while its perfectly serviceable for what it is....eh just not enough to put over the edge.

The second song on the demo however struck me square center with all the emotional and instrument power I need. So its worth the listen truly even just for the second song. I am interested in what direction these guys will go but for now I've been stuck on this song :)

nometal

The Slaughterhouse 5 - Alban B. Clay (2013)

Alban B. Clay (Name Dat Price)

Acey brought this group to my (and everyone else's) attention last month upon the release of their second single, Fish Pt. 2–3 (Actual Fish), which I have been abso-fucking-lutely addicted to, along with their previous single, Light Bulbs (A K.M.R.J. Cover). I have no real reference for how to describe this music, though Acey's genre-classification of "math-pop" is appropriate, and it's not like they're doing something literally indescribable or unique. But the execution is what makes this album special in a deliriously unhinged way: from its conceit as a concept album about an artist and his pretensions, to the way everything is simultaneously dirty with distortion and yet sparkly clean in harmonic precision. 

The vox (as identified in the previous post) are probably the element most enticing, with their dramatic ambitions, layered harmonies, male/female duets, and genuinely surreal lyrics about who-the-fuck-knows. But while the instrumentation is never hitting those technical highs that most folks expect from the math-tag, the songwriting and performance are top-notch through and through, with an abundance of style.

Highly recommended, especially for fans of Mister Metaphor, Hawks & Oxen, Mew, and the Olivia Tremor Control.