Search - MUTEMATH :: MUTEMATH

Not so mute

E. A Solinas | MD USA | 09/26/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Mute Math have been labelled the New Big Thing, which is a pretty hefty label to carry. Somebody's going to be disappointed, and most bands aren't strong enough to carry the title.



But this solid self-titled debut just might rise above the average, with its solid rockers and knack for good harmonies. This fledgling band expands up the solid guitar pop with extra flourishes and solid melodies -- it's not the most mind-blowing, but it's a solid sound all around.



It kicks off with "Chaos," an infectious little song that is simply crammed with instrumental goodness -- sharp drums, swirling guitars and airy electronica. It's perhaps their catchiest song on here, and good way to get you into their music -- it's a more complex tune than it appears to be at first glance.



It's followed up by a colourful array of different sounds -- this music is almost paradoxical in its complex simplicity and solid subtlety. They dabble in various styles, including epic guitar pop, brief instrumentals, haunting electronica-edged pop, and even some colourful funky-edged pop. They wind down with "Stall Out," a softer song that quietly wraps the album up with an electropop edge.



Mute Math started impressing people with their "Reset EP," and as they gained a following, they started handing out their debut on concerts. You gotta love these boys for that alone. But the cycling complexity of their pop music is an extra reason to enjoy what they turn out on their debut.



At first listen, it sounds a lot like Mute Math is a pretty typical indiepop band. Listen more closely, and hidden rhythms and shimmers of sound will start to emerge under the hooks. They have the swirling (and fuzzy) guitars, solid basslines and similarly solid drumming by Greg Hill, Roy Mitchell-Cárdenas and Darren King respectively. But the sound is upped a notch by vocalist Paul Meany's swirling keyboards, which add an extra dimension to their hidden melodies.



Meany sounds kind of like a harder, hoarser Sting, and he's at his most compelling in the sprawling rocker "Break the Same," where he howls, "The different stars tonight/Will somehow fade the same/And all the tears we cry/Tell us were made the same!" The lyrics need a bit of work, since they tend to be a bit lackluster verbally, even as they rhapsodize on loneliness, collapse and "broken hopes." They become more compelling when you actually hear them.



Mute Math makes a solid debut in their self-titled album, and prove that they are a new band that definitely is worth watching. Keep on rocking, boys.?"

Live concert shines through true talent of those unnoticed a

K. Thorn | Oregon | 02/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It takes a lot for me to describe a band as purely "talented." Even if all the vocals suddenly disappeared from MuteMath's album, they would still be one of the best bands I've ever encountered.



It wasn't until I saw MuteMath live that I realized they were more than just a mere "good" band. Many artists nowadays use recording tactics in which they can't perform on stage. MuteMath has obviously proved this theory wrong, with actually adding in more rhythms and beats than on the original album recording.



MuteMath's first full-length self-titled album offers more than just simple tunes. The first song on the album, "Collapse," is an infectious non-vocal drum rhythm, followed by the second track, "Typical," as a high-energy rock melody.



With the sounds of Jimmy Eat World, The Killers and M83, the band's sporadic and unplanned beats create an amazing piece of art. MuteMath has a sound to satisfy Lovedrug, Anberlin, or Copeland fans.



Instrumental tunes "Obsolete" and "After We Have Left Our Homes" features a unique synthesizer sound like no other, whereas "Chaos," the band's chosen single, wraps around drum and guitar solos.



MuteMath's last two EP releases have instated the band on a national level in addition to their non-traditional ways of reaching fans. Their first album, now dubbed "limited edition" was actually only available on tour--in no means was it in stores or online. That, my friend, is well-deserved creativity with a touch of originality. After the tour, the album was later distributed on a more traditional route.



Longer songs and more intricate sounds are apparent when watching live--the fact that a person watches all the magic come together is why it's so intriguing.

"

Sonic quality

Mark Mroz | Virginia - USA | 09/27/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just got this cd and it is amazing. A few of the songs are on the RESET EP (Plan B, Control, Reset). These songs appear to be exactly the same, except maybe remastered. I listened to them in a side-by-side comparison and noticed that the songs from the RESET EP sound much better. The ones on the new album sound compressed a bit more, have less in the lower end and are higher in the midrange.



Has anyone else noticed any difference?"