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?
