Customer Reviews

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MuteMath is one of the most original new bands to arrive upon the music scene in recent years. Formed from the ashes of the band Earthsuit, MuteMath displays a diverse range of styles fusing elements of rock, jazz, reggae, electronica and rave into a seamless whole. The band consists of former Earthsuit members Paul Meany on keyboards and vocals and Darren King on drums along with guitarist Greg Hill. Together, they have made a promising mark with their debut EP "Reset".
The disc opens with a high-energy uptempo number entitled "Control" which shows off an obvious U2 influence with its chiming guitars and anthemic choruses.
"Peculiar People" shifts into white-reggae gears and sounds like an outtake from the Police's "Regatta de Blanc". Paul Meany's vocals even have a slight Sting tinge to them. Lyrically, the song is based on Isaiah 40:31 which states 'they that wait upon the Lord shall..fly with wings as eagles'.
"OK" is an uplifting ballad in the style of Delirious. While the lyrics aren't exactly worship-oriented, they do offer a vast amount of comfort and hope and can be encouraging to those going through life's many trials.
The EP's title track is probably the most adventerous of all the ones on this disc. Being totally instrumental, this piece features elements of electronica and rave music and is centered around Darren King's syncopated and processed drumming alongside Paul Meany's atmospheric electric piano chords. All the while, there are various electronic sound effects scattered throughout the track along with samples of the string section heard on Delirious's "Glo In The Dark-part 4" from their "Glo" album. The overall sound of this track is a cross between Moby, Radiohead and The Chemical Brothers.
The dance music element continues in the next track, "Plan B". Once again, King's drumming drives this piece but there are more structured elements here than in the previous track. Meany's vocals sound like a cross between Sting, Bono and Donald Fagen here and the tracks middle section sounds like a meeting of Steely Dan and U2's "Pop"/"Achtung Baby" period.
The closing track "Progress" also has carries a Steely Dan/Police influence with a slight experimental edge to it while the final track "Afterward" is nothing more than a minutes worth of ambient guitar/keyboard atmospherics.
Despite this CD being only 30-minutes long. There is a lot to digest with MuteMath's "Reset". This band definitely does not stick to just one style of music. The eclectic nature of the band and their music makes for a refreshing listening experience. Their sound is very original while showing influences from many great artists before them (mainly the aforementioned Police, Steely Dan and U2) and their lyrics are just plain awesome - full of hope, inspiration and comfort.
If you're looking for something new yet entirely original and innovate, check out "Reset" from MuteMath - an excellent debut from a promising up and coming band.

They have a full legnth album available via their Myspace page. Also, if you get the chance, see this band live. They have put on one of the most amazing shows I have ever seen. I saw them at The Howlin' Wolf in New Orleans and... Just go see them.

1) Control - Happy flowing verses, driving chorus. 5/5
2) Peculiar People - Amazing vocals and keyboard work. 5/5
3) OK - This track kind of seems uneventful after Peculiar People. However, it reminds me of Radiohead. 4/5
4) Reset - Love at first note. 5/5
5) Plan B - Cool drum work, and tight sounding vocals. Also, my favorite guitar work (after Reset of course). 5/5
6) Progress - This is my least favorite track, but when they played it live and it really was moving. 4/5
7) Afterward - Just a keyboard outro. --

Call it the thinking man's worship music. Call it the worshipping man's thinking music. Call it groundbreaking, astounding, sensory overload. Call it rock and roll punctuated by deep spiritual longing and a dash of DJ Shadow. Whatever you call it, I love it. And I don't know if it's possible anyone could resist its brilliance. Since there's no way to aptly sum up this EP (it's not even a full album and it's still that good!), here's a play by play of each of the songs and what I think of them. Or what I could think to say about them that wouldn't destroy the ambience and mystery that make each song more rapturous and fascinating than the next.

I really hope you'll do yourself a favor and check out this CD. If you aren't convinced by my review, there are a number of online sources where you can listen to full length songs. And that oughtta do the trick.

CONTROL-Even though I've listened to this song so many times online, I still love it. From the opening chords to the thundrous, majestic chorus, my heart just surges with some powerful emotion that I can't even describe.

PECULIAR PEOPLE-What a catchy, upbeat little tune! I'm just waiting for the day when someone catches me dancing in the elevator because I have this song stuck in my head. I think this should be their next single, because it would do very well at radio.

OK-This song gives me chills. It stops me dead in my tracks. No matter what I'm doing, even if I've sort of tuned out the CD a background noise during a conversation or homework, when this song comes on I have to pay attention. I love the words and everything, but actually the musical backdrop is just as amazing. It just sets the tone for everything else. So delicate, so many layers, and it just feels like I discover something new about it with every listen because there are so many details and samples and sounds to hear. I literally feel like I'm being baptized by the music of this song. (Definitely feeling the Sigur Ros influence!)

RESET-Wow. I am just so impressed at the master musicianship! What an incredible weave of sounds and feelings and textures. The rhythms and samples and just everything about this song scream of otherworldly talent. I could listen to this song all day just trying to absorb its awesomeness.

PLAN B-It's so hard to choose a favorite, but this track really stands out for me. I think it's just the way it rocks out so much, and it's so passionate and driving and the desperation in Paul Meany's voice when he's singing "Mend it all, mend it all"--it just feels so real, so full of faith and anticipation. I can totally relate to the lyrics of this song. Plus, this song gets an extra boost from ex-Earthsuit member Dave Rumsey on guitar, so you gotta love that.

PROGRESS-I love the gentle, atmospheric rush and the slow but steady build up as this song crescendos to its climax. It sort of tricks you into thinking it's all mellow and harmless at the beginning, but then it knocks you off your feet with its utter brilliance and scope. Each time I hear it, I like it more.

AFTERWARD-Yet another amazing (though brief) instrumental that showcases the incredible talents of this band. A great way to close the album, and also a great segueway from Progress into Control if you have the album on continuous replay (like me)!

So get out there and get your copy now. It's almost certainly the best music purchase you will make in 2004.

As I'm writing this, there are only 4 reviews for this CD. That is shocking to me! But not as surprising as this CD is. First of all, the songwriting is incredible, and the execution is more than memorable. If you have not listened to this on their website yet, then you should. Then I'm sure you will be compelled to buy this CD. The songs are catchy and the vocals are unique. Some bands have a sound and vocals that define them (I think of U2 for instance)and make their music memorable. I truly believe that Mute Math is one of those bands. If this ep is any indication of what their full-length is going to look like next year, then prepare to hear a lot more about this band.

I saw Mute Math at Lifest 2005. WOW. Their live show was amazing. They have so much energy and they are very talented. After the show I ran to their merch booth and bought this cd. It's not as good as their concert was, but it still is a great cd, and it is definitely worth buying. My favorite song on it is Peculiar People. At their concert they played a song called Chaos which was excellent so hopefully that will be on their full length when it comes out!

mutemath is quickly becoming one of my favorite bands. this ep is so inventive, mixing obviously different genres seamlessly, such a nice blend. i cannot wait for the full length! these guys are electric live! paul meany is jumping around, over his keyboard, playing a big akward red "keytar", just having a blast. darren king, drummer, duct tapes his headset to his face to keep it from flying off when he plays. i saw them this weekend at the atlanta christian music weekend @ six flags. energetic music reflected in a very energetic show! i would highly suggest investing in a ticket to one of mutemath's shows and buyin this here compact disc. you will not regret the purchase of either.

Mute Math is a band ready to conquer to world. Combining elements of rock, electro, industrial, jazz, and experimental, they have a sound that at first listen sounds slightly crazy. The second listen, however, was much better--I love it! Paul Meany's Sting-style vocals provide the perfect vibe to their already hopping sound. And if you haven't seen them live, do it! Watching Paul play keytar on top of his piano is a site to behold.

1. Control--3/5-- This is an okay song that stretches itself out to far. If it was about a minute shorter it would be much better, methinks.
2. Peculiar People--5/5--This song rocks! With perfect synths and danceable rythm, this song makes me feel good.
3. Okay--2/5--A really weak song, both lyrically and musically it appears quite uneventful. Especially when compared to the two songs its sandwiched between.
4. Reset--5/5--An instrumental roller-coaster, the drum machine rocks through a series of sporadic rythms with keytar, violin and guitars. I love this one.
5. Plan B--5/5--An electro-rocker! Pure awesomeness. The guitar, the synths, the vocals. Everything is good.
6. Progress--3/5--I like this song a lot, but I have to be in the mood for it.
7. Afterward--4/5--A haunting one minute instrumental.

I remember meeting earthsuite after a concert, and getting their autographs. on stage that group was amazing. i was soo dissapointed when i heard they broke up. finally there was a new flavoring christian band. Well Mute Math has calm all of my worries. i saw them this past august in New Hampshire, at Soul Fest. and the life performances of Paul and comapany are just electrifying. there must have been 15-20 people at the beginning. but by the end, there was at least 100 or so. i left that show unable to get the catchy, and upbeat songs out of my head. This EP is awesome, but it doesnt give the bands live ability justice. My only problem is, my favorite song, Chaos (which is amazing life), isnt on there. But i highly suggest anyone who thinks christian music is boring, give em a try, for under 10 bux, you cant go wrong anyways. Expect to hear about Mute Math for years to come!

Mutemath performed on the 2006 Warped Tour. This is an EP that is just as great as their newer full-length. Everyone comments on the vocals sounding like STing (when he was good in the POlice !!) but they forget to say that the atmospherics on the album are beyond anyone else's music. There are numerous guitars and synths that aren't heard on the first listen. Played at loudest volume, the dynamics change even more. I heard them on Less Than Jake's tour bus for the first time and was instantly hooked. You will not be disappointed. And see them live !!! (They also have a positive message and it isn't shoved down your throat like bad medicine, but rather soothing like a nice Hallz cough drop.)

Amazing. These guys put on the greatest show I've ever seen. Anyone who puts a bad review out there against these guys must have a major bias against them.....because there's little or no room for criticism. If anyone disagrees with me I tell you to go see them live...thats what convinced me.
See them now, because soon it's going to be hard to get your hands on a ticket....and it'll cost you an arm and a leg.