At first I thought it was mostly a gimmick, but then I listened closely. Not only can these two play, but they have some very cool ideas both rhythmically and tonally. Many are saying they are the remedy to AI slop generated music. I’m not sure about that, but they definitely play some cool stuff overall. And they have seriously taken off with gigs all over North America and Europe this year.
Thoughts?
Absolutely nobody? Wow. One of the most viral new bands and no-one here wants to comment. I am for once surprised.
I tried. I really did.
I was getting Rick Beato recommendations in my YouTube algorithm for a while and they popped up on there. They’re creative for sure but I think I found them too…idk…math rock-y?
Bouncy little rhythm track. I kept waiting for the actual song to start. Reminds me of Primus a bit - very cartoon Zappa vibes.
They are definitely that.
Cool description. The drummer is so good.
The music is definitely rhythm-centric, and is a bit like rave music with shorter melody ideas (that only last for a minute or so each). In my mind it matches very well with younger (shorter) attention spans (reels/tiktok) while having an incredible driving rhythm.
I also love how they play with time signatures.
Not again, no.
I get why they call themselves “chest pain.”
A slowed down The Jesus Lizard without vocals.
It’s ok for a bit but have seen something similar on street corners without the getup and the drums.
Actually that would be an improvement to Jesus Lizard.
I find them as an entire phenomena very interesting. Why does a math rock duo (albeit it a talented one) come to such prominence now? As a musician I find what they are doing pretty cool (messing with time signatures, micro-tonal melodies, looping melodies), but as others have pointed out, it is not something completely new. However, they are massively popular right now - their KEXP videos have millions of views on YouTube, and they are playing with some pretty major acts this summer.
Is it the fight against AI generated music? Or is it just that it is a flash in the pan of newness, and they will be gone in a year or so, the likes of Twisted Sister in the eighties?
Regardless, I like that they are out there performing, and everyone at the shows seem to be having a great time.
I feel like I should like it, but it’s just lacking something somehow.