Mute Math - Mute Math (2006)

Artist: Mute Math
Album: Mute Math
Format: Audio CD
Bitrate: 183kbps - 320kbps

Track Listing:
01. Collapse
02. Typical
03. After We Have Left Our Homes
04. Chaos
05. Noticed
06. Without It
07. Polite
08. Stare At The Sun
09. Obsolete
10. Break The Same
11. You Are Mine
12. Picture
13. Stall Out

Album Reviews

What began as a long-distance musical collaboration between friends Paul Meany and Darren King has turned into something much bigger for New Orleans-based buzz band Mute Math. After releasing a well-received EP, “Reset” in 2004, Mute Math built a loyal grassroots following based on their live show and overwhelmingly positive buzz among critics and fans. The band regrouped recently to record its first full-length, currently available only on the Internet and at the band’s shows on its appropriately named Album Release Tour.

Listening to the album, it is clear that Mute Math thrives on the collision of ideas and sounds that at first might seem incompatible, but ultimately mesh to form a cohesive and inspired piece of work. The band’s sound has been compared to that of U2, Radiohead, The Police, and other rock luminaries, but in the end Mute Math succeeds in creating a style and feel that is informed by influence, but still uniquely its own. Sure, singer Paul Meany’s voice recalls Sting, the lyrical themes and melodies owe a debt to early U2, and the more experimental tracks on the album bring Radiohead’s postmodern art rock dabbling to mind. In the end, though, Mute Math comes away with something distinctive by combining these elements of influence with the band members’ own vision, adding a mix of original keyboard sounds, drum machines, and other electronic flourishes to create an intoxicating atmospheric soundscape. The key to the Mute Math formula, however, might be the clear theme of hope and resolve in an environment of chaos that permeates each of its songs. While many so-called experimental artists struggle to inject any kind of identifiable meaning or message in their songs (whether it be positive, negative, or conflicted – see Radiohead, Bjork, and Beck for starters), Mute Math succeed in this arena by making message and theme a priority. Still, there is plenty of depth and complexity related to this overarching theme, both lyrically and musically, throughout the album that rewards the listener on repeated spins.

After a short, moody instrumental opening track, rocker “Typical” blasts through the speakers with a clean guitar punch, pounding drums, and Meany singing about achieving another level of existence beyond our current state. “Chaos” is close behind, and while the lyrics, title, and uneven verses of the song might suggest confusion, a purposeful resolve is readily apparent in Meany’s sharp vocal attack and the band’s pounding electronic barrage featuring skittish yet resonant drums, keyboard squeals, and heavy guitar riffing. The song is a prime example of the band’s ability to combine seemingly disparate elements to form something strong and unified. After an uneasy verse replete with gurgling keyboards and tripped-out drumming, the chorus is where the band truly achieves liftoff, ascending skyward with a heady sonic volley and impassioned, soaring vocals. On these two tracks, Mute Math come out with all guns blazing and it sounds huge.

However, the middle and latter parts of the album adopt a less frantic pace with somewhat more relaxed, groove-oriented songs such as “Stare At The Sun” that give the album a sense of musical balance, but unfortunately fail to capture the energy and urgency of the earlier, more upbeat songs. There are still plenty of strong vocal and instrumental melodies, but the songs tend to disappoint ever so slightly after early exposure to the full unrestrained force of the band’s musical and lyrical abilities. “Break The Same,” thankfully, does just what its title indicates, offering a steady rock beat and high-flying chorus just in time to save the album from sinking into a bit of a lull. Finally, stirring album closer “Stall Out” manages to achieve a weightlessness that simultaneously satisfies and leaves the listener wanting more.

As debut albums go, Mute Math has produced a clear winner which, with a little luck, will set the band on a course for mainstream success. When and how that success comes depends on the band’s timing and rock radio’s receptiveness to a band whose sound may not fit a conventional, ready-made-for-radio template. It’s clear that the band’s music is already well ahead of the other parts of the equation for success. Here’s hoping that’s a good thing.

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