Run Along Now, And Let the Grown-Ups Rock: II

POST #2:  MUTEMATH

A Recurring Segment On Fostering a Refined and Stylish Appreciation for the Modern Musical Arts.   
 

As previously mentioned in the premier post of this segment, it has become an unfortunate reality that the modern music scene at large has been viciously and savagely sodomized into a steaming pile of mass-produced, auto-tuned nightmares which incessantly provide Satan with an endlessly growing iTunes library from which to create the soundtrack to Hell. Mind-numbing reminders of our decaying popular consciousness are painfully disguised as preteen anthems, made humanly unbearable due to their obsession with a particular day of the week and astounding indecisiveness on whether to "kick" in the bow or stern of a underage-operated motor vehicle.

Yet again, my dear readers, I assure you there is hope--musicians that seek to push the boundaries of sound in a way that is simultaneously refined, sharp, and intelligent (just like the modern gentleman). Which brings me to the featured band of this segment: Mute Math.

Formed initially as a long distance collaboration between singer Paul Meany and drummer Darren King, Mute Math blossomed into a mind-blowingly energetic progressive rock entity that pulls from the ambient cool of bands such as Radiohead and the head-nodding drive of Sonic Youth and New Order. As smooth as it is beautifully chaotic, the electrifying liveliness of this music is enough to soar your heart rate to levels of medical concern, as well as give your ears the treat of a delicacy long overdue.

I first heard of this New Orleans-grown band back in 2005 after my best friend caught their show at a small, intimate venue in Dallas. A few years later (after falling in love with their magnificent record), I got a chance to see them live myself, and as you might have gathered from the picture above, it was one of the most epically intense, energetic, and thrilling shows I've ever seen--and to this day remains my favorite of all time.

Currently, the band has just announced that it is gearing up to release its third full-length album sometime in September of this year with the addition of a new guitar player (replacement). It is my sincerest hope that this personnel change will shift some of the creative control back to King and Meany much like the first album and therefore produce some incredible results, but only time will tell.

ALBUM FAVORITES:
Reset EP: Reset, Peculiar People, Plan B
MuteMath: Chaos, Typical, Stare at the Sun, Noticed
Armistice: The Nerve, Backfire, Burden, Armistice

And of course, as always, it doesn't hurt my opinion of these fine musicians that they know how to dress up for a rock show. The insanely cool drummer, King, often sports a blazer as he flails about with incredible accuracy on some of the most complex beats this side of European Electronica. So to end this with a stylishly slick note, here's a little taste of Mute Math's capabilities as they perform one of their best instrumental numbers live--Reset. Happy Listening!