[Music] Delays & Mute Math [2006]

Artist: Delays
Album: You See Colour
Release Date: 06 March 2006
Country: Southampton, England



Tracklist:
01. You and Me
02. Valentine
03. This Town's Religion
04. Sink Like A Stone
05. Too Much In Your Life
06. Winter's Memory of Summer
07. Given Time
08. Hideaway
09. Lilian
10. Out of Nowhere
11. Waste of Space

Band Members:
Vocals/Guitar: Greg Gilbert
Keyboard/Vocals: Aaron Gilbert
Vocals/Bass: Colin Fox
Drums: Rowley Fox

With much of the speculation spotlights revolve around Arctic Monkey in the British music scene at the moment, bands like Delays are sadly, being overshadowed. Delays is a band of 4 from Southampton, England and You See Colours is their sophomore album, after the 2004's debut Faded Seaside Glamour and was released recently in early March. Being tied with British acts such as The Libertines, and constantly being said to be a tied-kin with Cocteau Twins, Delays's music are less indie, more edgy and sometimes dreamy.

The lead singer, Greg Gilbert's almost diva like vocal sounds like angel's echoes in your dreams, creating a almost surreal-romanticism scenescape. Opening song, You and Me could best sum up the style of this album, catchy, dreamy and fast-paced. Second track, also the first single off the album, Valentine, sounded a little like Erasure but nevertheless is one of the fine songs in this album. Third track, This Town's Religion still doesn't fail to amaze with the fast-paced guitar riffs. Final track, Waste of Space is almost dreamy sounding and shows just how amazing Greg Gilbert’s voice can sound and how unique his singing is.

However though, if the one thing this album lack of would be it's content. From having a crush in Lillian to fleeing a town when love's gone to a more sensual ambiguous words of Given Time, love was the only theme that was explored here, and sometimes it can get a little annoying. Parts of the lyrics, for me, remains incomplete, not developed to its full potential. Nevertheless, You See Colours was a great piece of album to listen to. Especially when you're feeling lovey-dovey.

You Might Like Delays if you Like: The Servant, Cocteau Twins, Razorblade

Beaker's Verdict: A-



Artist: Mute Math
Album: Mute Math
Release Date: Jan/Feb 2006
Country: New Orleans, The United States of America

Tracklist:
01.Collapse (1:12)
02.Typical (4:12)
03.After We Have Left Our Homes (1:14)
04.Chaos (4:55)
05.Noticed (4:25)
06.Without It (4:57)
07.Polite (1:22)
08.Stare At the Sun (4:33)
09.Obsolete (4:32)
10.Break the Same (7:22)
11.You Are Mine (6:08)
12.Picture (5:21)
13.Stall Out (7:05)

Mute Math is a band from New Orleans, United States. Formed back in 2001, Mute Math started a series of collaborations and it was not until September 2004, they released their first EP, Reset. Prior to release of Reset, Mute Math has become one of the fastest rising internet artists and soon they know it, they have recuirted enough fan base to start a tour in the States. In late 2005, Mute Math was set to release their self-titled LP but it never made it due to the speculation of being labeled as christian-band by their recording company, Warner Brothers Record. Follow-up to that, in January 2006, the band made national news, when they sue-ed their recording label for that matter. Since then, against their will, Mute Math has been labeled as Christian-Rock group and thanks to that, they have seized a large amount of attention from the christian fan.

It is hard to define Mute Math's musical style. They sound nothing like a typical Americal band. You might find it a little emo-rock, a little progressive, and distinctivly, electronica. This is not without a reason. Creatively ambitious, Mute Math sought to define themselves on how they should sound like. Finding inspiration in everything that's considered the opposite of rock music, the found a unique equation for the style. The result was a captivating soundscape of experimental rock drenched in irresistible hooks brilliantly blended electronic and ambient elements with hip-pop styled beats, dubby soundscapes filled with guitar riffs and piano and meaningful lyrics.

The album opens with a signature drum-driven intro entitled Collapse, brings you into their music realm. Through out the album, one might find a little inconsistency in the songs. Some of the songs might have been a little unpolished, sounds a little like demos or live acts with experimental jams and live sampling while another half of the songs were being developed fully to a highly infectious and energetic song. However, the inconsistancy produced a rather interesting result. From the drum driven intro, Collapse to their hit single Chaos, then to the infectious Noticed to the slow emo-track You Are Mine, Mute Math has created a blend of different elements and that shows how well the band have handled themselves musically. Another worth mentioning would be the vocal of Paul Meany. It's hard not to be captivated by his infectious and deep vocals.

As music lovers, we sought new sounds to listen to from time to time, and Mute Math has provide us a new route of musical style. It might not have been all original musical wise, but it delivers a rather unique style compared to their peers.

You Might Like Mute Math if you Like: Armor For Death

Beaker's Verdict: A-