Mute Math: New Modern Rock Band Releases Possible Best Album of 2006

You can't quite classify it. You can't really compare it either. Some compare the sound to The Police and others declare Brit-rock bands such as U2 are the right point of reference. The reality is that the full-length debut that so many have been waiting for from MuteMath is hard to describe, except to say that it is absolutely brilliant from beginning to end.

Never heard of MuteMath? While there is now considerable buzz around the band and this release, the reality is that this has been a long time coming. Frontman and keyboardist Paul Meany should seem familiar to fans of Earthsuit, the experimental rock act that was a bit too cryptic for a Christian market to accept.

While there were strong musical moments for the band, the timing was off for wide-spread appeal. In an industry where the dollar is the bottom line no matter the market, the reality soon hit home and Earthsuit was no more. While this was harsh news at the time, it came after guitarist Greg Hill and drummer Darren King had played with the band. Those ties continued over time, fusing together the identity of MuteMath.

After the downfall of Earthsuit, a new label was formed with famed producer Tedd T. - Telemprompt Records, with the newly formed MuteMath as the flagship band. However, contract issues with Warner Brothers distribution has held off the album until now. The Reset EP was released previously to continue the buzz around the band.

Now, having added bassist Roy Mitchell-Cardenas, the quartet have finally released their full-length to the masses. Spanning thirteen tracks, the musicianship is unparalleled from beginning to end. Kicking things off is the instrumental "Collapse," serving as a proper introduction to the sampling, experimentation and layers that are the heartbeat of the rock music of MuteMath. "Typical" quickly follows with an Edge-like riff to truly get the album in gear. Meany sings of the longing to rise above the mediocrity we so quickly settle for, while the frenetic King sets the pace musically.

The strongest track on the album is "Chaos," which allows all members of the band to showcase their talents and the mixing is perfect here. Meany creates an anthem that speaks of the presence of God in the midst of the chaos of our lives, allowing the track to be both inspiring and enjoyable at the same time. Other highlights include "Without It" and "Stare At The Sun." The former is a mid-tempo track that highlights vocal comparisons to Sting, while the latter is an entrancing, hypnotic ballad.

As the Reviews Editor here at Infuze and frequent writer for other publications, I receive a lot of materials and hear a lot of media. And while there are many that I have enjoyed, there is nothing that has compared to the self-titled effort of MuteMath. If you have not yet heard this incredible band, you are missing out one of the best bands making music today.