There are times when instrumental math-rock can get a little tedious. Complexity can sound as though it’s done for the sake of it rather than to make music for aural pleasure, but when it’s done well it can be delicious, as You Slut! have shown us. The other alternative is to be entirely accessible and dancable, as in the case of Bulgarian trio Mental Architects and their album “Celebrations”.
This record has the second worst cover of anything I’ve reviewed this year, but don’t let that put you off – chances are you will get the download and only ever see a thumbnail on your phone. This album is fun, and even a grumpy old bastard like me likes a bit of fun in my music now and then, so long as fun doesn’t mean shallow and disposable.
The bass, played by Niki, is nicely brought up in the mix and plots out a great path, alternating between short melodic phrases and groove, but rarely simply driving the rhythm. When it does, it slips a little further back in the mix, stepping aside for guitars. The drums of Max also get plenty of variation, but always retain that restrictive and precise mathy feel rather than running off into flourishing free-flow.
Guitar really is the key here, Tony using a variety of styles throughout the record but pretty much sticking to whatever he introduces in the opening bars of each song. Whether it’s bouncing arpeggios, chiming washed out chords, a neat little riff or a simple melody, there are frequently two or more lines working at once, intertwining with each other and fluttering around that bass and drums. Keys and electronics add some good depth and texture into the mix but are not prominent to the extent of the guitar and drums.
There’s no spectacular drawn-out crescendos and little in the way of dynamics as “Celebrations” sticks to that strict math-rock scaffold of a series of mid-tempo vertical slices one after another, usually with just enough there to link adjacent slices. Despite the relatively constant pace and volume and a song length of around four to seven minutes, Mental Architects skilfully avoid what on paper looks like like it could become boring.
I’m not sure how they deal with the multiple guitar lines live, having just one guitarist, but I’m guessing they’d be great to see. The production on the record by Aaron Harris of Isis fame is spot on and brings out the best of each line in perfect proportion.
This record is light-hearted but certainly not light-weight. It’s serious music with a smile and a whole lot of energy – all positive. Check it out.
Available on bandcamp
