Math

[Compass]

Lately I've been really into the heavier side of instrumental math-oriented music. It's part entertainment, part mental excercise. Slowly learning the intricate twists, turns, starts, stops, and unexpected time signatures is immensely satisfying. I imagine it's similar to mastering a hard shoot 'em up (which unfortunately I've never had the skills/patience to do).

Breadwinner - The Burner



I think I've listened to this short CD more times than anything else in my collection. Supposedly the father-band of "math rock" this never gets old. The greatness lies in the details. Unfortunately The Burner encompasses the full breadth of Breadwinner's material.

The Fucking Champs - III, IV, V



All three of these records are great. Very fun, fairly complex, with no shortage of hilarious song titles. Seeing these guys live has to rank in the Top Ten Happiest Experiences of My Life. But I listened to this stuff constantly about five years ago and I think I burnt out a little.

Foe - Arm Yourself With Clairvoyance



The ultimate in complicated instrumental math metal as far as I'm concerned (please correct me if I'm wrong and point me in the right direction). Ridiculously intricate, dare I say it, it's almost too complex. Sometimes I'm suspicious they may have cobbled this album together in Reason because I can't imagine anybody actually memorizing these songs and being able to play them this tightly. I know it'll be years before I can even tap along to this album without screwing up. Amazing.

Dysrhythmia - Pretest



Steve Albini group. I've only listened to this a couple times. It's decent but doesn't really live up to the bands mentioned so far.

Loincloth - demo CD-R



Pen Rollings from Breadwinner is in this band. I want this so bad! I sent the guy my $5 but haven't heard a peep in months. According to the guest book, I'm not alone. Supposedly it's like a cross between Slayer and Breadwinner. I finally broke down and ordered the 7" off some euro site but I'll still be missing two of their four songs. Apparently Confessor is back together now which may explain why Loincloth development has stalled.

I've been a fan of mathy song structures since the nineties (Thingy > all) but only just recently narrowed my focus to the heavier, instrumental domain of the bands above. Share suggestions for similar sounding music if you have any. And give one of these a listen if you're just curious (the Champs are probably the most accessible if you're not sure).

Instrumental math stuff I've heard but wasn't really feeling: Don Cabellero (sounds like noise to me), Oxes (please -- derivative and sloppy), Tractor Hips (forgettable).

[Punky Skunk]

Great topic/genre.

I've seen Breadwinner mentioned a few times now, so I'll have to hear them. Don't think I've ever heard of Foe.

Thingy - yes. I'd like that "new" album.

I'm not sure what Don Caballero you've heard (from the looks of it, I'd guess DC2), but maybe try the Singles Breaking Up collection for simpler less abrasive stuff or the later albums for much less noisy (but a lot more complex, or maybe that was the noise). After DC there's also Battles.

some favorites of mine-
Hella I've found to be similar but more "fun." Try The Devil Isn't Red if you haven't.

Laddio Bolocko has some great math rock stuff. Try the song "Goat Lips."

Yowie is the craziest I've encountered. Just bought Cryptooology for myself. http://www.skingraftrecords.com/audio.html

Natural Dreamers have a nice short album (20 min.). Try "Diamond Mines."

Lastly, check out the Japanese band Happy Family's last two albums (s/t and Toscco).

[Josh]

Sometimes I'm suspicious they may have cobbled this album together in Reason because I can't imagine anybody actually memorizing these songs and being able to play them this tightly. I know it'll be years before I can even tap along to this album without screwing up. Amazing.

You can punch in and out of analog recording too.

I'd be willing to bet you haven't heard a song where the whole band played together at the same time in the last 20 or 30 years.

Everyone fakes it on their records. Its because records have to be perfect, or people will tear you apart.

Anyway, I'm going to download all of this stuff. If its even half as complex as Dillinger Escape Plan I'll be fucking jumping for joy.

Only one of these albums I could find was Fucking Champs IV.

I'll keep looking. Or you could hook me up...
joshwilkesbooth@gmail

[Gohron]

You can punch in and out of analog recording too.

I'd be willing to bet you haven't heard a song where the whole band played together at the same time in the last 20 or 30 years.

Everyone fakes it on their records. Its because records have to be perfect, or people will tear you apart.

Anyway, I'm going to download all of this stuff. If its even half as complex as Dillinger Escape Plan I'll be fucking jumping for joy.

Only one of these albums I could find was Fucking Champs IV.

I'll keep looking. Or you could hook me up...
joshwilkesbooth@gmail

My friend is in a "Math Metal" band a bit like Dillenger Escape Plan. The music all sounds really complex but I was with him when he was writing a song once, it's actually pretty simple to memorize and play apparently.

[Compass]

Great topic/genre.

I've seen Breadwinner mentioned a few times now, so I'll have to hear them. Don't think I've ever heard of Foe.

Thingy - yes. I'd like that "new" album.

I'm not sure what Don Caballero you've heard (from the looks of it, I'd guess DC2), but maybe try the Singles Breaking Up collection for simpler less abrasive stuff or the later albums for much less noisy (but a lot more complex, or maybe that was the noise). After DC there's also Battles.

some favorites of mine-
Hella I've found to be similar but more "fun." Try The Devil Isn't Red if you haven't.

Laddio Bolocko has some great math rock stuff. Try the song "Goat Lips."

Yowie is the craziest I've encountered. Just bought Cryptooology for myself. http://www.skingraftrecords.com/audio.html

Natural Dreamers have a nice short album (20 min.). Try "Diamond Mines."

Lastly, check out the Japanese band Happy Family's last two albums (s/t and Toscco).

I will look into these. Are they instrumental though? That's what I've been into lately. By the way, I too eagerly await Thingy's next album (maybe more than anything else) if it ever decides to be made/released.

[edit]: Listened to the Yowie song in the link. I like it! Not really heavy at all but it's cool. Sounds like Upsilon Acrux but better.

The Don Cabellero CDs I have are "For Respect" and a green one with a cross on a roof or something.

You can punch in and out of analog recording too.

I'd be willing to bet you haven't heard a song where the whole band played together at the same time in the last 20 or 30 years.

Everyone fakes it on their records. Its because records have to be perfect, or people will tear you apart.

Anyway, I'm going to download all of this stuff. If its even half as complex as Dillinger Escape Plan I'll be fucking jumping for joy.

Only one of these albums I could find was Fucking Champs IV.

I'll keep looking. Or you could hook me up...
joshwilkesbooth@gmail

I don't really think Foe faked the album. I was just trying to convey how complex the song structures are. I've read about their live shows and apparently they're quite capable of holding it together. While recording, I'm sure they punched in and out, as you put it, to get it perfect (as virtually no studio albums are recorded purely “live” as you well know), which is fine with me. Also, I know from personal experience, seeing bands like the Fucking Champs and Upsilon Acrux, it's quite possible to play super-complicated songs live, with very few if any noticeable mistakes.

I listened to a song by Dillinger Escape Plan awhile ago but wasn't into it at all. I know they've had a revolving singer slot so maybe I just got the wrong guy. The song itself wasn't interesting either though. I think it was called "Setting Fire to Sleeping Giants" or something like that.

Oh, I'm on 56k so unfortunately there is no "hooking you up" option, sorry. Foe's probably the best thing for you but can be difficult to find.

Ah! Here's a site with mp3s of two good Foe tracks: Bloodmoss and Triangulator.

http://www.houseofstairs.co.uk/releases/hos003.html#

Triangulator in particular is crazy.

[Punky Skunk]

I will look into these. Are they instrumental though? That's what I've been into lately. By the way, I too eagerly await Thingy's next album (maybe more than anything else) if it ever decides to be made/released.

The Don Cabellero CDs I have are "For Respect" and a green one with a cross on a roof or something.

Yep, no vocals. With Laddio Bolocko the only reason I said "math rock" (which should be a given) is because half or more is experimental rock/repetitive droney stuff and much less rock.

The green one is What Burns Never Returns. It seems like you have 1 early and later album, so not much to say to that. I was expecting maybe DC2 or American Don.

[Josh]

I don't really think Foe faked the album. I was just trying to convey how complex the song structures are. I've read about their live shows and apparently they're quite capable of holding it together. While recording, I'm sure they punched in and out, as you put it, to get it perfect (as virtually no studio albums are recorded purely “live” as you well know), which is fine with me. Also, I know from personal experience, seeing bands like the Fucking Champs and Upsilon Acrux, it's quite possible to play super-complicated songs live, with very few if any noticeable mistakes.

I don't I understood what you originally said, and then I think you misunderstood what I said.

Lets drop it XD

I listened to a song by Dillinger Escape Plan awhile ago but wasn't into it at all. I know they've had a revolving singer slot so maybe I just got the wrong guy. The song itself wasn't interesting either though. I think it was called "Setting Fire to Sleeping Giants" or something like that.

The song to listen to is "43% burnt". hit me up on AIM (joshwilkesbooth) and I'll send it to you.

P.S. Love the "fake shitty recording" at the beginning of IV. I was really concerned for a sec.

[Salsashark]

I can back Punky Skunk up on Hella and Natural Dreamers. Except, I'm not so sure Natural Dreamers is "math"...but then again the whole label seems kinda dubious to me. Not that I have anything better to call it Music, I guess.

Some of this stuff seems too technical for my tastes. I love "mathy" elements in music, but sometimes it just comes off as too flashy. Definitely gonna give some of this stuff a try though, especially since you started it off with Breadwinner.

[Punky Skunk]

Downloaded the Foe tracks. Sounds quality, very similar to earlier DC. Similar old school metal tone to the guitars, but (from these 2 tracks at least), never seems to build up any tension or explode. Also much less action on the drums. You should really give them one more try (either Singles or DC2). You can dl "Repeat Defender" here.

I can back Punky Skunk up on Hella and Natural Dreamers. Except, I'm not so sure Natural Dreamers is "math"...but then again the whole label seems kinda dubious to me. Not that I have anything better to call it Music, I guess.

You're right, I wasn't quite sure, but "Diamond Mines" probably works. Half is really quiet and noodly (it's a short album!).

[Punky Skunk]

Alright, since Happy Family might be hard to locate, here's 1 track:

Happy Family - "Shige Et Osanna" (click free at the bottom and the dl should start on the next page after about 10 seconds)