Alpha Male Tea Party
Droids


4.0
excellent


Release Date: 2014 | Tracklist

Review Summary: m/^2

In the nerdy underbelly of rock and roll, deep within the cluttered realm in which the math rockers dwell, there are few who have managed to focus the frenetic, dizzying energy that the genre is known for into something that truly grooves. That’s not to belittle the mind-bending efforts of bands like Tera Melos or Don Caballero, which, whilst dense and uncompromising, are fantastic artistic achievements in their own right. Instead, I would merely point out that ‘Droids’ – an instrumental math rock record full of accessible, funky riffs and genuinely danceable tunes – is a rare beast to behold.

The three lads from Liverpool keep it simple, achieving a great deal with their humble toolkit. The record literally bursts at the seams with bright, crunchy guitar licks, spiralling around meaty bass lines and crackling drums in a fiery, anthemic mess. It’s loud and hectic, yet never overwhelming, tempered by the band’s post rock tendencies. Reserved, melodic passages swell up here and there, accenting and complimenting Alpha Male Tea Party’s usually boisterous sound and preventing it from growing stale. The end product is wonderfully paced and a joy to listen to, guaranteeing bobbing-heads and tapping-toes from the first listen to the fiftieth.

Despite doing wonders for this record, accessibility is a trait I rarely see lauded by music critics. Challenging, envelope-pushing albums are often revered above all others, with many looking down on those more immediate records that may act as genre gateways for the uninitiated. I generalise, of course, but I do think that many tend to shun that which has the potential for mainstream appeal. Yet simplicity does not equate to mediocrity, and ‘Droids’ is an excellent case in point. Light in experimentation but full of heart, it’s a riotous and cathartic listen that begs to be played over and over again. And so I say this to you, fellow mathematician: put down the calculator and loosen that top button, for the groove is here. And it is good.



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Comments:Add a Comment 
AsleepInTheBack
Emeritus
April 11th 2020


10745 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Excuse the rust - I've not written anything up in over a year.

Dis be fun, pls check.

parksungjoon
April 11th 2020


47227 Comments


damn i wish i could do this kinda concise writeup

pos'd m/^2

AsleepInTheBack
Emeritus
April 11th 2020


10745 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Many thanks fren. Idk, I find my attention span lacking these days, I cant stomach writing anything that would require the reader to scroll.

MarsKid
Emeritus
April 11th 2020


21057 Comments


Funky, groovy, mathy. But does it feel-y?

Pos, by the way, Well done in a brief write-up, gives a good snapshot of what this is.

KjSwantko
April 11th 2020


12568 Comments


I'm gonna have to check this out- sounds pretty interesting.

zaruyache
April 11th 2020


28600 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

i lov it v much

AsleepInTheBack
Emeritus
April 11th 2020


10745 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Cheers Mars. Give it a whirl; it's a difficult record to hate, I think, even if it isn't your thing.

MarsKid
Emeritus
April 11th 2020


21057 Comments


Sometimes I find math stuff wanders too much or doesn't have enough weight to hold it down, but I can always give it a once over

WatchItExplode
April 11th 2020


10700 Comments


Makes me miss Fang Island.

AsleepInTheBack
Emeritus
April 11th 2020


10745 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Never heard of them. If they're anything like this, I'll take that rec.

WatchItExplode
April 11th 2020


10700 Comments


Guitar trio equally groovy but a bit cleaner and more fun

BlushfulHippocrene
Emeritus
April 11th 2020


4053 Comments


Love you Ben, lovely review. Listening to this now, very fun yes!

AsleepInTheBack
Emeritus
April 11th 2020


10745 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Mars, this likely has the weight your looking for. Its not particularly noodly or big on the treble - more of a midrange record with chunky production.



Explode - sounds like my bag, will check.



Blush my man, glad you're digging.

WatchItExplode
April 12th 2020


10700 Comments


If you enjoy 3 guitars locking into a groove with each other you'll dig it. Much like this, it's a good time. Glad I checked the review.

neekafat
Emeritus
April 12th 2020


26926 Comments


ooh bookmarking this!!

Sowing
Moderator
April 12th 2020


45523 Comments


Always loved your reviews, will check this.

Kompys2000
April 12th 2020


9483 Comments


Lmao these song titles, I'm sold

AsleepInTheBack
Emeritus
April 12th 2020


10745 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Cheers Sowing, means a lot



Lol yeah Kompy, I almost included a line about them - very indicative of the attitude they play with.

Kompys2000
April 12th 2020


9483 Comments


First track I was like "damn this is really sick, if only the vocal mixing wasn't total ass this would be an easy 4.5" then the rest of the album was instrumental so uhh 👍👍👍

Kompys2000
April 13th 2020


9483 Comments


I'm trying to remember the last time I heard an instrumental rock track as exciting as "Athlete's Face"... shit, maybe not since "Physical Education"?



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