Math Rock is one of those genres (or genre, if that is plural for genre) that’s really pretty difficult to define; The Mighty Wikipedia says that it’s usually guitar-centric, influenced by prog giants like King Crimson and Rush, and is characterized by unusual time signatures and shifts, angular melodies and chordal dissonance. Wikipedia considers a lot of bands Math Rock (Drive Like Jehu and Cardiacs among them) that I would not consider in the genre specifically.
To top all of this off, many bands that might be Math Rock completely disavow the label and bristle at the mention of it.
Pretty clear, all of this classification. As clear as mud!
One thing that I have always, personally, associated with Math Rock is a lack of vocals; Most of the Math Rock bands that I was aware of were mostly instrumental (Don Caballero is perhaps the best known that falls into the category). But this is not so any longer, dear reader, for the paradigm has shifted. And the subject of our review for today, Wot Gorilla?, is part of that movement.
Wot Gorilla? combine the complex musical elements of Math with a very unique vocal style to make some very fresh and listenable tunes. Mat Haigh’s vocals, on the higher side of the tenor range, remind me of Paisley Underground Scene vocalist Michael Quercio (The Three O’Clock). Aside from being completely and totally fucking jealous of his voice, Wot Gorilla? really make the songs work; These songs would be interesting without vocals, but the vocals just add to the tunes and show the musical expertise of the whole group.
This album is a milestone of sorts, in that I feel like I could very easily introduce a non-Math Rock fan to it, and chances are pretty good they would be able to listen to it and find a lot to like.
Starting at the end, of course, I absolutely love the vocal range showcased on the final song, ‘Snow White’, as well as the textbook, perfect-to-the-letter Prog time signatures. This little gem might catch you by surprise when Haigh goes full on screamo, growling his vocals for just a second. It’s unlike the rest of the album, with its measured precision, but it fits perfectly. If the intellectually stimulating music career doesn’t work out, he could have a fallback career in Nu Metal (I jest of course!).
My next favourite is the 5+ minute ‘Holy B’Jesus’, which ropes in some Metal and even Pop moments to augment the Math and Prog elements. It’s almost as hard to explain the song as it is pleasurable to listen to; The song is kickass, pure and simple.
As I have already stated, this album is as hard to explain or encapsulate in words as it is fun to listen to, so instead of continuing to butcher English and possibly turn off potential listeners, I will say this: Listen for free on Wot Gorilla?’s Bandcamp page, and judge for yourself. It’s dead good.
As always, I admonish you to BUY INDEPENDENT MUSIC.
Posted by Jake Gillan.
