Toe is an awesome four piece post-rock band from Japan. Many of the band's songs are arranged in a style that screams math rock influence. The music is typically instrumental. The drumming is simply incredible, I would suggest checking out Book About My Idle Ploton Vague Anxiety.
Beyond talented, The Mars Volta is a widely respected progressive metal band pulling influences from jazz, funk, latin, and psychedelic. The sound is unparalleled and a superior image to the genre.You have probably heard of them but if not I highly suggest checking this band out. De-Loused in the Comatorium is a great album to start with and is widely accepted as their most influential work. Omar A. Rodriquez-Lopez is the man behind the guitar, and Cedric Bixler Zavala sings out with one of the greatest voices on the planet, not too mention a vocabulary that creates lyrics that force you to open up a dictionary for a hint of understanding.
I was recommended this album from a friend and I do like it so I figured you might too. This album has a very soothing aspect to it, I'm hearing bells and harmonics in the background layers that remind me of The Mercury Program. If you enjoy experimental instrumentals then you will enjoy this album.
Found this band on bandcamp as well. The Earth Is a Man is a four piece Chicago based instrumental band that delves into Mathy Post Rock material. They mix beautifully relaxing tunes between slightly heavier and more experimental progressive rock jams. And hey I love the album art, that's what really caught my eye when I was looking for some new music. I'm glad I found it.
Sigur Rós is a four piece post-rock bandfrom Reykjavík, Iceland. The band name was taken from the lead vocalist little sisters name, which means victory rose. The band plays a very unique style of post rock with heavy amounts of both ambiance and dream like states. Ágætis byrjun is a beautifully slow album that almost acts as a lullaby, I've used it to fall asleep on numerous occasions. If your looking for a more upbeat album, you should check out Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust, the first song, Gobbledigook, gives a great first impression to the rest of the album. Yes this band's music is in an unfamiliar language to most of us, but I feel like it's nice to listen to something that you cannot fully understand. Sigur Rós has gained popularity in America, despite it being in a different language, because of course music is the universal language. The melodies and the soothing vocals will undoubtedly leave you feeling some sort of emotion, and before you know it you will have fallen in love as I have.
I would suggest watching this music video from a track named "Hoppipolla" off of the album Takk... It is a great song and the video itself is quite humorous. Youth is wasted on the young.
In anticipation for Say Anything's new full length release titled, "Anarchy, My Dear," I am throwing up the previous releases of the band. Once its released I'll update this post with the new album download. Say Anything is in my top bands of all time. Max Bemis is poetically vulgar, perfectly honest, and will never settle for ordinary.
Epic Trancecore band that mixes synth and step with heavy breakdowns. The band has defined the genre and should be releasing a third album in 2012. I get to see this band live in a couple days so I'll update this post about how the show went, I have pretty high expectations.
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12-18-11
So I saw Enter Shikari live and they honestly played below my expectations. They played a lot off of Common Dreads and I was really hoping to hear more from Take to the Skies. Their stage presence was weak, and they just didn't sound like quite the same band as they did off their albums. They also added additional electronic beats, that aren't on the original songs, to spice up the show. It made it more of a dubstep rave than a metalcore show. Take to the Skies wins as my favorite Enter Shikari album, but I probably won't be listening to this band too much more. Bands that are poor live always ruin themselves for me.
So I was on facebook one day and the little sidebar with the advertisements said, "Do you like Cloudkicker?" And I thought to myself, "Why yes, I do like Cloudkicker." So I clicked it and discovered "On Wings of Wax." This band pronounced Cloudkicker as one of their biggest influences, so you should check them out! Progressive metal with a djent style, mixed with layers of ambience.
They're giving these two albums away at "name your price" value, just follow this link to their Bandcamp.
So I just got a new computer after my last one got stolen and I'm making this album my first post with it. Likes Lions is a great alternative math rock band from Sheffield. I was digging it with my first listen and wanted to share it with you. I'm hearing sounds that remind me of Incubus, Bloc Party, and Thunderstorms. Plus there's a cat on their album cover and cats are fucking awesome. They released the EP "Future Colour" on Bandcamp for a pay what you like price. Share it with your friends.
Make sure you listen to the third song, "Welcome to Seaworld"
My Brother's Ears My Sister's Eyes (2011) FileSonic
Just throwing this up here, solo project of Circa Survive's guitarist Colin Frangicetto. Haven't added anything new in awhile since my computer got stolen from my apartment...but enjoy!
Death Cab has been a long time favorite of mine, Ben Gibbard is a one of those musicians who is truly passionate about each song he creates. His lyrics are genius and require an in depth look to really understand his message. Death Cab has an extensive collection of music that they have been writing since the band formed in 1997. Here is the discography starting from the bands early years to their most recent release, Codes and Keys.
Note: These are only the band's LP's, the EP's are out there and worth listening too but I am currently posting this in a lecture class and need to pay attention lol
* If you're a first time listener I'd recommend Transatlanticism, Narrow Stairs, and Plans.
Awesome politically charged post rock band fromCalifornia. Instead of using vocals to keep the music going, the band samples audio from a number of media sources to express their own opinions about the world and its political leaders. The Impossible Leap opens with a track that will bring goosebumps down the spine of anyone who lived during the 9/11 tragedy.
I was just recommended this from a friend recently. He said he thought it would fit my taste perfectly and he was right. Thunderstorms is an instrumental pop punk band from Canada that incorporates a technical side with math and post rock influences. The music is positive, jammy and rarely repetitive. It's albums like these that you can play from start to finish without skipping a song (or even realize that the song changed). This shit's like explosions in the sky with an upbeat pop aspect.
The band's entire discography is available for free download by the artist himself. If you dig these EP's then get excited for a full length to drop sometime in the future. Looks like I will be searching for more instrumental pop rock in the coming days!
