+clockWorks10 Assuming he's talking about the breakdown of Cat Fantastic, it's definitely melodic counterpoint. The two ideas (theme A and B, as you call them) played by the 2nd guitar and the 1st guitar/vocals move both independently of one another, theme A downwards and theme B mostly upwards. If they shared the same rhythm it would be contrary motion, but they show harmonic independence and have a completely different contour. Plus, their accented notes are completely different, adding to the separate feel of the groove.
If you plan on covering more math rock, the best groups I've found are Chon, and Clever Girl (specifically the album no drum and bass in the jazz room) I know you have an abundance of recommendations but still. Neither bands have lyrics Great quality reviews, thanks for doing them.
Chris Kilbourn not at all, i understand if you like the demos and newborn sun more, newborn sun is my favorite from them, but they pushed so many boundaries on grow and they flexed their abilities so hard.
When you really focus on the roots of what they're playing and break down signatures to count for yourself, they do an amazing job keeping the songs diverse. Also, the interludes are brilliant additions to the album, they really get you thinking on the particular groove, and I'll admit I was unsure when I first heard them, but a few more listens and I was hooked. This album is musical gold, in 9+ years of drumming I've never had a band inspire me more. I love Animals, but this is too good!!!
This album is what started my path to math madness. Where after finding math rock any song with a chorus feels cheap and boring. Dead ass I don’t recommend math rock to others bc it’s ruined a lot of music for me bc nothing hits the way math rock is. It’s like seeing such a good film that afterwards other films you liked seem boring
I am a long time TTNG fan. It took me awhile to actually get into this album. It was hard for me considering my absolute love of 'Animals'. by truly looking into this album i can see the difference from Animals. It took me some time to understand and see that with the coming of Henry as the new vocalist TTNG was no longer the same band but instead an entirely different band. once i saw this change i began to love this album.
I really loved this album and have fallen in love with their discography since hearing it. Very dense song arrangements with great subtleties and complexities to the writing. Some brilliant playing from all of the members with implementation of complex time signatures etc. Their acoustic performances are stunning and show how well their dense and complex songs translate into calmer acoustic arrangements. I agree that there is a bit too much much filler on this LP. I'd give it an 8/10.
Love this album, would agree it's not as strong as Animals but Disappointment Island, released bringing of this month is a stronger album with less of the interludes!
Was gonna say! Surely awesomeness repels water would be worth a mention as a post interlude track that's different?? Was about to comment then you said. Their guitar layers are tight as fuck aren't they! Love these guys. Think you misunderstand the cover art though.. xx
i was sleeping on TTNG for a while, recently discovered them and im in love! ive never heard of crazy technical music without any kind of aggression before, its just great!
Very good and fair review. TTNG are one of my favourite bands and I do love this album. I agree with the fact that a lot of the album doesn't progress but I think their music really comes to life when you see them play live. They just boss out the tracks so effortlessly and in a very captivating way.
i just wanted to say love the show, u do a great job keeping it fresh and updating VERY regularly. could u possibly pull a progressive and tell us about ur competitors if u have any??? i cant find any good music review vlogs (other then u ofcourse) on the internet and i would just like to have an alternative source
The instrumentals on this album are top-notch and fucking glorious. I can't help but imagine how much more emotionally engaging these songs would be with Stu's vocals though...bummed he's no longer with them.
Really good review, my man, totally agreed with the likeness to Maps and Atlases. Stu is a great guy and I'm gonna miss him but I am fond of the developments now being made with Henry on board. Subscribed, hopefully you can introduce me to some different music!
Being an impressionable teenager with girl problems, I fell in love with Animals when it dropped in '09. Despite that, though, I spent the past 3 months half-cheering, half-dreading this album on; I know Animals had a lot of emotional and sentimental value to me, so getting something NEW from the band sounds like a nostalgia-wrecker waiting to happen. Luckily, I really enjoyed this album! It's definitely not the best, but it still holds onto the things that made me love TTNG in the first place.
I enjoyed their album. Didn't think much of it first, but like you said I listened to it focusing on the instruments then the vocals and started to enjoy it a lot more. My only complaint is that I wished they. Turned up the bass more on the album. At times you can be even hear it on top of the two guitars. It's no Mirrored though.
The fact that you mention Minus The Bear and Maps & Atlases along with TTNG makes me like this guy already. Not to mention his very well knowledge of music theory. Yeah I will subscribe now.
Thank you very much for the review! I myself was very pleased with the album. Even though I was pretty hesitant at first if Henry would fit the group I ended up enjoying his singing a lot. He brings kinda laid back aspect to the mix. Only problem I had with this album is that sometimes the guitars tend to get drowned in the mix and get very inaudible. Also those interludes are pretty pointless and could have preferably been replaced with "real" tracks. Still the best I've heard in a while.
I'm surprised you didn't compare this album to Owls. That's the most obvious comparison with the math/indie sound and especially the guitar work itself. Hammer on/pull off slidey riffs with strange time signatures. If you haven't heard Owls, you need to.
He didn't say that Tim Collis sounds like Dave Knudson. Both use interesting arrangements, both use electronics to an extent in some songs, both have actual singers rather than the more shouty vocalists seen in a lot of other math rock bands etc.. And anyway, he reviews a lot of music, there are probably people watching who don't know much or anything about the genre. I think the comparison was for their benefit. Anyone else already knows what TTNG sounds like. But I agree with you about Collis.
by the way Anthony was talking I expected a lower rating. I really can't into the new vocalist, but it's hard not to admit there is a lot of cool stuff going on in the album. and I liked the electronic tracks instantly. still, Animals remain GOAT forever.
Enjoyable album, that's for sure. Nice Riff, Clichard literally came out of nowhere though. I like the song itself, but a glitchy electronic song doesn't really fit on the album. It sounds extremely similar to an Of Porcelain track.
I definitely think that Stu was a better math rock singer. I guess Henry will suffice to the slight evolution they've made away from the math rock feel. Nothing will ever top Animals, but I'm not saying this album isn't good, in fact, I love it!. They will always still be known to me as This Town Needs Guns, though.
Dude, you should really go back and revisit the Maps and Atlases album that came out last year, "Beware and Be Grateful". The songwriting is leaps and bounds better than their first LP.
Great album, for all the reasons you stated quite well. Review "Knots" by Crash of Rhinos if it pleases. Stampeding ahead of the recent emo resurgence. cheers.
