Normally I’d write up a creative and witty introduction here, astounding all of you readers with my mastery of the English language. Every once in a while, however, an album comes along that manages to really impress me; in that situation, I don’t mess around and get right to spreading the word.
That word is such: MuteMath’s self-titled debut album is good, and you should buy it (simple but direct, no?) In fact, now would be a great time to do that. I’ll wait here.
*whistles nonchalantly*
Back yet? OK, good. Now, for those of you who still need convincing, read on.
How good is this disc? It’s very good, even in spite of its two flaws: three minute-long filler tracks and a somewhat pretentious air. All of that is irrelevant when the quality of the music is taken into account. MuteMath produces a unique blend of pop, rock, ska, electronica and who knows how many other genres, and it ends up sounding great.
Much of MuteMath’s popularity is based on the single “Chaos,” available on the band’s MySpace page; this is definitely the highlight of the album, though the whole thing is spun from gold. “Chaos” feels intelligent, powerful and alive, the opposite of the direction that a lot of modern music seems to be heading. Other highlights include the opening track “Typical,” which reminded me of Sugar Ray (which is a compliment); “Without It,” which has a unique soulful feel; and “Break The Same,” an epic seven-minute track that is interesting throughout thanks to Paul Meany’s ethereal vocals and the powerful percussion work.
Frankly, it’s difficult to continue saying how great this album is without coming off like a broken record — hopefully, you just went ahead and bought it when I told you to. If not, you need to hear this; MuteMath’s eponymous record was one of the best of 2006 and is worth the time. Start with the singles on the MySpace page and, when you’re blown away, check out the entire album. You’ll be glad you did.
