First of all, I hate the term 'Math rock'. I'm not American, the word is maths. M-A-T-H-fucking-S, OK?
I'm glad that's out of the way.
Anyway, for me, this genre sits somewhere on the unlikely intersection between Indie and Prog rock. It features the compositional nuances typically associated with Prog (i.e. unconventional key and time signatures) but without the self-indulgence and pretension. As an aside, I have tried to give Prog rock a chance, I really have, but it mostly leaves me cold. Throughout my life, I've always known at least one person into the likes of King Crimson and Yes (to give two obvious examples), but it does nothing for me. I find Prog too onanistic; all technicality and theatrics but little in the way of spark or vitality and songs that sound more like elaborate guitar exercises than anything I'd actually want to listen to. The closest I get to anything approaching Prog would probably be Tool or even Mew.
This is where Math rock (shudders) is different for me at least. Yes, it can be noodly, it can be willfully obtuse at times and yes, it can definitely be self-indulgent, but the songs feel more alive, more vital, possessing an edge and energy absent from Prog. I don't get the impression that Math rockers are in love with their own sense of self-importance and neither is their music delivered with that infuriating, near-pornographic abandon that makes Prog so draining to listen to. The lack of showboaty guitar solos also helps a lot, too. (Seriously Prog guys, fuck off with that shit.)
I mention all of this because Polvo are seen as the standard-bearers of Math rock; and whilst their music is very technical and nuanced, it remains relatable and grounded, and therein lies its appeal. More cynical readers might say I'm essentially justifying liking Prog by any other name. Whatever.
For me, this album stands out for a couple of reasons. For one, I absolutely love the production. Bob Weston provides a well balanced, no-nonsense sound, creating space for the band to fill and not stifling the mix with superfluous studio gimmickry, which is exactly what a band like Polvo needs. The songs themselves are playful and quirky and don't take themselves too seriously, something which only serves to make the music all that more endearing, even during those moments where it threatens to veer into navel-gazing territory.
No comments:
Post a Comment