This can’t end well. But I knew Chuck kept that suit around for a reason since the last time he used it.
Let’s do some music talk! This week marks the release of the new MuteMath EP, in anticipation of their new album. Now, their previous self-titled release (which came out way back in 2006, by the way…) was one of my favorite albums at that time. It was still in my iTunes “25 Most Played” list through most of 2008. They’re also responsible for the best version of the Transformers Theme Song EVER. If you’re like me and you like their earlier material, then you’ll love this new EP.
Because it’s exactly the friggin’ same.
To be fair, there’s not much material to judge here. We get three versions of the new song “Spotlight,” and one other new song, “Clockwork.” These are pretty good songs, and would sound right at home if they were on the first album. In fact, if you put this EP and the old album on shuffle together, you probably couldn’t tell which ones were new, and which were old. There’s just been no growth, considering it’s been almost 3 years since the last album (even more considering half of the previous album was out on an earlier EP a year before THAT).
Don’t get me wrong, these are good songs — the melodies are really singable pop hooks, set over interesting instrumentation (keytar has never been so cool!) and some of the most original drumming to come from rock in a while. He’s not the most technical drummer, but he makes choices that most drummers don’t make, has a unique, dry, sound, and brings a gigantic level of energy to every song. I also love Mutemath’s bass player, always tasteful, adding to the songs in all the right places. He reminds me a lot of Led Zeppelin’s bassist John Paul Jones, he knows exactly when to show off with some high-register chops, and exactly when to lay low and do some simple driving rock bass. He also implies some good counter-melodies at times that I really enjoy. Since most of the top layers of sound are ethereal or melodic, he has a lot of freedom to imply chord changes with just his bass, which I always find interesting. There’s a little bit more of a U2 influence evident here, especially on “Clockwork,” but this stuff still has more raw energy than U2 has had in years.
Mutemath has the best stage prescence ever!
In any case, while I loved the new songs, I was hoping for more of an evolution. I suppose it’s better to crank out more of the same, rather than go in a bad direction, but I hope that this EP isn’t the best of what Mutemath’s upcoming record will be. These guys have a really unique, cool sound, and some decent songwriting, and have the potential to really push out in some new directions. But “Spotlight” is just another example of what they’ve already done.
In any case, they have the best stage presence of any band ever, no matter if you like their music or not. If they do a show anywhere near you, you absolutely must check it out. Their show in Dallas was in my list of top ten concerts EVER. Thats not something I take lightly.
Oh yeah, it’s Friday the 13th. Don’t die!
