Review Summary: A selfless approach to jam band antics.
Math rock influence is something that comes and goes in my interests; sometimes, the subtle, structurally concentrated American Football satisfies, and TTNG gives me my fix if I need something more eccentric, though, misguided technicality usually brings down first listen euphoria as quickly as it came. Lately though, and I must admit I’m disappointingly late to the party on this one, a fine balance of inherent technicality and striking groove is gracing my ears. Suffer Like G Did’s Raspberry EP exists as a perfectly bastardised infusion of sporadic Math Rock and Jazz inspired groove that had me from first listen; and on subsequent playthroughs, the charms already apparent are augmented by subtle inclusions I had previously skimmed over. Then, what is it that sets the Raspberry EP apart from the countless other Jazz/Math releases - what exactly is that ‘charm’ that keeps me coming back?
The answer lies in the simplicity of instrumentation; Suffer Like G Did come with no bells or whistles. Where creativity so often lies in the overuse of effects to carry the weight of each composition, this humble 4 piece (Guitar, Bass, Drums) makes use of bold tones and striking contrast between members to carry their music. The opening track Let’s Just See What Happens is as exploratory in its opening as the title suggests, relying on a sturdy bass track to underlie an adventurous guitar-drum dialogue that tiptoes toward a loss of control that never quite occurs. Instead, the tension gives way to the first of many stop-start grooves that exhibit a signature Suffer Like G Did flavor.
The Raspberry EP is a short work, clocking in at just over 11 minutes; it gives the impression of being over before it began. Though, within that 11 minutes Suffer Like G Did offer 3 thoroughly considered works of art that naturally purvey a tension-release approach to composition so devoid in modern music. And for that, the album has me following the bands every move in anticipation of a longer sophomore effort to keep me busy.
