Decided to throw out another interesting trend that’s been brewing in England (and elsewhere) and that’s math rock. I know, it sounds strange and probably brings back bad memories of your elementary school teachers attempting to make learning the multiplication table fun, but it’s actually pretty cool. Math rock is an experimental style based on complex rhythms and variable tempos- usually driven by guitar and drums. Unlike most rock music, which uses 4/4 time signatures, math rock prides itself on incorporating unconventional time sigs like 11/8 and 13/8 and then throwing them in unique groupings. Some bands (I dont think foals does..) even use equations and scientific formulas to structure their music. Interesting stuff to be sure.
Foals is a newer project of Jack Beven and Yannis Philippakas, who together used to head the cult math rock band The Edmund Fitzgerald. The album I’m posting is Foals’ debut Antidotes, which came out sometime in 2008. It’s among the more stylistically interesting experiments I’ve heard in the last few years and I had a fun time (failing) to pick out the time signatures. Not a fan of every song on here, like “Cassius,” but there are some great tracks like “Heavy Water,” “Big Big Love,” “Red Sock Purgie.” So here’s some music all you science majors can enjoy. -Chris
Alex
Tomio
Brennan
Chris
cmoneyyy
Jack
modestmus
From the Fringe 