Math rock is a type of alternative and indie rock that began with bands like King Crimson and Rush. It has features like unusual rhythm patterns, multiple melodies played at the same time, unusual time signatures, and complex chords. Math rock is considered a subgenre of experimental rock, sharing its focus on creative and unusual ideas and using a structure that doesn't repeat parts as much as traditional songs. The genre is also similar to post-rock, often described as the "opposite side of the same coin." It uses a more "rocky" style in songwriting and sounds, and is usually performed by small groups of musicians who highlight the guitar's role.

History and precursors

The albums Red and Discipline by King Crimson, as well as Spiderland by Slint, are often seen as very important influences in the creation of math rock. The Canadian punk rock group Nomeansno, formed in 1979 and no longer active since 2016, has been called by music critics a "secret influence" on math rock. They started making music more than ten years before most of the genre developed. Another experimental group from the same time, Massacre, included guitarist Fred Frith and bassist Bill Laswell. Their music used complex rhythms, partly inspired by the fast energy of punk rock. Black Flag’s 1984 album My War also included unusual combinations of rhythms.

Two songs on Yes’s 1971 album Fragile have received attention. Paul Lester of Classic Rock wrote that the song "Five Per Cent for Nothing" shows drummer Bill Bruford "inventing math rock." The song "Heart of the Sunrise" was described by Pitchfork writers Chris Dahlen, Dominique Leone, and Joe Tangari as "a carefully built early example of math rock."

Polvo, Don Caballero, Slint, Bitch Magnet, Bastro, and Ruins are considered the first bands to create math rock.

Examples of modern math rock bands include Delta Sleep, Covet, Tricot, and TTNG.

Characteristics

Math rock is known for its complex rhythms, which some listeners and critics describe as having a mathematical feel. Most rock music uses a 4/4 time signature, even if the beats are emphasized or shifted. Math rock, however, often uses unusual time signatures, such as 4/4, 8/8, or 8/8, which change frequently.

Like traditional rock, math rock typically features guitars and drums as the main instruments. In math rock, drums are especially important for creating complex, driving rhythms. Guitarists often use techniques like tapping and loop pedals to build on these rhythms, as seen in the music of the math rock group Battles.

Lyrics are not the main focus in math rock. Instead, the voice is treated like another instrument in the mix. Vocals are often not recorded multiple times and are placed less prominently, similar to the recording style used by Steve Albini. Many well-known math rock bands, such as Don Caballero or Hella, are entirely instrumental.

Math rock and emo share a connection, as seen in bands like Tiny Moving Parts or American Football. Their sound has been described as "twinkly, mathy rock," which became a key feature of the emo scene during the 2000s.

Etymology

The term originated as a joke but is now the name used for a type of music. Matt Sweeney, a singer in the band Chavez, explained that the term came from a friend who listened to his music without reacting, then used a calculator to rate how good the song was. Some critics do not consider math rock a serious type of rock music, and some well-known artists in the genre have rejected the term.

Artists

Math rock is common in Japan, with well-known groups such as Toe, Tricot, The Cabs, and Lite. Other Japanese bands that use math rock in their music include Ling Tosite Sigure, Zazen Boys, and Mouse on the Keys. The Japanoise scene in Japan also includes bands like Ruins, Zeni Geva, and Boredoms.

In Taiwan, math rock is a new type of music that is becoming more popular. A well-known math rock band from Taiwan is Elephant Gym.

Math rock is also found in South Korea, with bands like Cotoba and Dabda leading the movement.

Polvo, a band from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is often seen as a famous name in math rock. However, the band members have said they do not want to be labeled as part of this genre.

In California, power pop bands Game Theory and the Loud Family were both led by Scott Miller. He was described as someone who "tinkers with pop the way a born mathematician tinkers with numbers." The name "Game Theory" comes from mathematics and suggests a "nearly mathy" sound, which some call "IQ rock."

Although the Seattle grunge scene was not usually connected to math rock, some people think Soundgarden is an exception. This is because many of their songs use unusual time signatures, which are common in math rock.