I bought the new Mute Math album.
I find it kind of funny…I find it kind of sad…the first album I heard from them was the best they ever had. I guess you could chalk it up to the sophomore slump, or that they’re solidly on Warner’s label now. Don’t get me wrong this is a solid piece of music, but that seems to be it, one piece of music. The album doesn’t have much get up and go considering their first release was all over the place musically. There is no drive or energy in 90% of the songs and the songs that have potential energy never see it released.
Armistice’s dynamics don’t actually exist, it seems like Paul Meany and the band wrote this during a massive relationship break up and forgot to let everyone else know why they’re crying. My first inclination during some of the songs was, if I was going to go cut myself I’d do it to this song.
Pieces that made the first album so enjoyable was the energy, the techno elements and the massive builds and drum break downs. The drums on this album are solid, but they’re predictable. The techno elements are minimal and the builds just aren’t there. As far as energy, it’s got energy if you’re melancholy. I’m not impressed, but im not disgusted either. Have you lost your way? because most of your songs kind of lean towards that on this album, and it would make sense.
I remember seeing Mute Math release their music at the GMA’s a number of years ago with such passion and energy it put everyone else to shame. Paul Meany talked about how he had come back to music with a renewed passion for God. Some of their music even related to Christianity (not that music has to, that is a debate for another day). Now with the attitudes seen in interviews and music taking a turn for the dark you begin to wonder where is that bright eyed band that told everyone they were back?
Can I have my mute math with a side of awesome sauce again?
i love it. nuff said. lol!
Hmm… I had a rather different experience with this album. First time through I was thrilled! I really liked what they were doing musically, thought things linked together rather well myself. However, after a couple listens, I really started to get the message and ideas that they were now presenting. Immediately I was turned off.
The lyrics started to reveal themselves and let the world know, “Mute Math no longer has any affiliation with Christ, and frankly we are so much better because we gave up that silly nonsense.”
the song No Response really makes it all too clear:
“And if it all is black and white
Then tell me what is wrong and right
I don’t suppose that anybody knows
And maybe when we reach the end
We’ll ask imaginery friends
Why no response?”
“Imaginary friends”? Dang. Fairly harsh.
Don’t get me wrong, I listen to other music with lyrics that are on par with that, but it’s not coming from bands like Mute Math who have a large fan base that are Christian. (Whether they like it or not) To me it’s a pretty large “Pss Off” to those who do believe.
There are many more bands in sea to give my money to, and Mute Math won’t be one of them in the future.
good words Tyler.
The music seems pretty solid. The recording seems like lots of life was spent making this album sound amazing sonically.
Who cares if they are moving to more universal themes instead of wasting lyrical space a some mythical character and their followers.
They probably woke up and realized the real purpose of religion: to corral and mindwash those involved.
Can’t wait til they tax churches.
Mr. Haha (Time Traveler, Global Citizen… and Blind Fool)
Dude…not all bands have to be christian for them to be good! Mute math is probably christian but they don’t have to put that in their music! Maybe his lyrics are trying to make people think..think about other possibilities in religion. I’m a unitarian (and if you don’t know what that is LOOK IT UP) and we look at other religions and learn from them, and then we put together our own belief! I am actaully a agnostic athiesm and his chorus kinda speaks to me in a way, haha. But Dude! I do not like christians who are always trying to convert people into christiananity and being saved and all that stuff, and maybe mute math doesn’t like it either! they are just trying to produce music!!! give them a break!! listen to other music! listen to music by athiests..you might like the music!
Oh and sorry im a Unitarian Universalism, i forgot to put the other u word in! haha look that up!
I love it. I think that the album is great, sounds great and is greatly produced.
I miss some of instrumentals but the live show will remedy that. The experimentation is there, but more focused and polished. I can’t wait to see this album performed live.
To address some of your comments.
If you follow the history of the band, you know they’ve certainly had their share of more downs than up (including their previous outfit, Earthsuit). This album itself was delayed and went through some problems and changes.
That being said, it’s easy to see why an album might be more somber sounding or melancholy looking at the history. In addition to that, their previous experience with the CCM industry wasn’t exactly awesome. The industry ignored them. The fans ignored them. Why would they want to have or cater to a base as flimsy or fickle as the Christian market? They were ignored once, and now all of a sudden they are the poster children for hip cool church media types? I would be wary of such a fickle fan base as evidenced by your post and the commenter above who is taking his money elsewhere despite admitting to listening to music with lyrics that are ‘on par with’ Armistice.
They are writing honest music about their struggle. If you want shiny happy people music, there are plenty of CCM artists where the sun is always shining for them.
Are you kidding me?! I disagree! Listen to the album..but listen to all the neat sounds they put in it! The clapping on Armistice is amazing and the violin and stuff on clippings is so cool! So just listen to all the different instruments and sounds they use..Different is good my friend. If they made another album like their first one then we would have another coldplay…where it’s the same stuff all the time! Mute Math loves to expeiriment and that’s what makes them so amazing!
When I first listened to Armistice, I wasn’t sure I liked it quite as much as the first one, although some of it was simply the fact that it was a little different, and Armistice lacked the same familiarity. I like the cd quite a lot now.
On October 13, I heard quite a few of the songs performed live and they blew me away.
And Sauce, I think the guys are probably all in different places spiritually. Even so, God is big enough for us to question Him. Sometimes people have to come to the point where they make it their own, but it is not without a struggle. IT’s the only way there will ever be a real relationship. I have no problems with people writing about it, Christian or not.