Mute Math - Mute Math (Teleprompt Version)
Genre: Rock
Top Songs: Noticed, Chaos, Plan B
Record Label: Teleprompt Records
By BMcMahon

Releasing their first full-length album in a follow up to their September 2004 introduction of Reset EP, fan’s of Mute Math should be very pleased of their most recent self-titled album, Mute Math. With the talent of an explosive voice of lead singer and keyboardist, Paul Meany, the captivating beats of Darren King and the combination of both bass and lead guitars of Greg Hill and Roy Mitchell-Cárdenas, the foursome has pulled off a musical chemistry unlike most newcomers to the rock scene in recent years.

With vocals drawing likenesses to the vocals of Sting, a Euro-pop influence like that of a mid-nineties U2, and lurking synths merging with post rock guitar sound, this album aptly captures so many likable yet unlike genres together as one. Recently opening for The Fray in January of 2007 and appearing on MTV in Canada, their blend of industrial, new wave, rock and jazz has truly been captivating more and more listeners now reaching over seas in Europe with their release on iTunes in late 2006.

Mute Math’s first track, ironically named Collapse lays a strong foundation, paving the way to build upward from this song instead of laying way for a crumbling, melancholy disaster as the name may imply. Setting up the following tracks as an orchestrated pressure builds up through this minute long, winding instrumental. Hollow vocals are heard, echoing over rolling, war-like drums, as strings build and a beautiful soundscape emerges. The instrumental fades and leads right into "Typical", one of many rock anthems on this album.

Lead singer voice: 9.6 Album flow: 9.6 Overall Band: 9.0 Overall Album: 9.8 Reviewer’s Tilt: 9.6

Moving further into the album, Mute Math broadens its shoulders pompously yelling “Chaos!” and challenges Paul Meany’s powerful vocals with "Noticed", their highlight of the album. Here we hear the emotion and embellishment of stringy electric guitar chords, shaping the song as quick-paced drums shift the song quickly to the end. Promptly ending the refrain towards the end of the song, the seam rips and the band lets their true rock sound loose.

Leaving only little room for error halfway through this album, consecutive songs of "Polite", "Stare at the Sun" and "Obsolete" give the CD quite a hangover. Compared to what has already been heard, sandwiching one slow, and fairly low-caliber song between two instrumentals, hinders the pace set forth from the opening tracks. Resuming interest, we soon hear the blistering beginning of "Break the Same" followed up by a more spacey side of Mute Math with "Stall Out" and "You Are Mine."

Throughout this album, songs such as "Plan B" and "Picture" continue this electro-rock combination and succeed one after another. While constructing songs such as these two tracks, use of electric piano and ambient guitar loops become the pulse of the overall flow of the album. Their constant use of these creates the band’s signature sound. With two different versions of this album currently being distributed, buyers of the album released by Warner Brothers Records, will be lucky to have a version of "Control" and "Plan B" (featured as "Single of the Week" on iTunes in early Nov. 2006), as well as another crafty instrumental "Reset", all three which were featured on their earlier EP release, although slightly modified.

With an overall even sound, both loud and soft, music lovers of both rock and electronica will be dazzled with the versatility of sounds and the wave of feeling they will feel, making themselves believe, these guys are the real deal. Sizzling the music scene with this album, Mute Math is surely on the bubble of most certain stardom.

The band is already working on their next album they hope to release by 2008 once finished their tour ending in the New Orleans based rock group’s hometown mid 2007.

Theatre of the Living Arts, Philadelphia - 3/14/07

In My Opinion: This album is busting at the seams and I can’t get enough of it, although some may find this album to be too poppy or over-produced. This may be the fault of the members of the band and the clean, crisp sounds and overlaying effects they had desired to set forth in this project from its beginnings. I really don’t care whether it is over-produced or not. For me, that’s what makes the album as complex as it is. It’s put together so nicely; the flow of the album doesn’t hurt my ears or even make me feel I want to change the song. If you love a certain sound, like I do for this album, then it’s yours to stick with.

The only downside of the Mute Math LP is they have been working on putting together songs since the bands beginnings in 2003. It took them 3 years to make an album. With their growing popularity, the group may be forced to push a second album sooner than they should and could possibly fizzle and not meet the high-expectations already mounting. If they plan on releasing an album, putting out as many well-done songs as they did on this album, it may be a true test of talent since it took them a year to make just four songs for their first EP.