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Calculator / Moldar

Split (2009)
self-released

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Brian
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on August 11th 2009

Calculator step up their game considerably on this newer split EP with screamo comrades (kinda), Moldar. They have three cuts here and all are tighter, steadier and more dynamic than the material on their Arguments EP of last year. Mind you, these are a little more intense in places, and when they are they fit the genre parameters a little neater, but this refinement and focus has done the band well. "Our Homes, Our Graves" is a tense opener with an interesting jangle in the guitars at the beginning and then a more frenetic, faster tempo. There's a neat little moment where the song rears back, too. "Paradise" is a great in-between, mostly instrumental song, maybe the best on here, even, utilizing just a few lines and a Donnie Darko audio byte here and there. It's relaxed, yet a bit ominous at the same time. "Bandages" comes in with a quickly jangled riff and barked vocal line ("And when the tree falls, in the forest, I'll be the first one, to make a sound") and then some quick drum fills. It kinda loses my interest after that, but overall, this side's definitely the band's best stuff yet.

Moldar come up next with two lengthier contributions. This band's similar in that they have really anxious, yelled vocals that never get too screamy, but there's so much restraint in what they do it's still pretty interesting. In fact, that really just goes for "Growing Roots...." Their other song, "And Eyes in the Back of My Head" is a nine-minute instrumental-dependent closer with a handful of narrowly audible lines either breathily sung or hoarsely shouted. The jam isn't so much post-rock as it really is just a more instrumental-based variant of the style of the songs that precede it, like a less abrasive Kidcrash. However, traces of the former definitely come to the surface a bit towards the end, maybe hinting at something much greater to come from the band. The song could overall be stronger but it's pretty methodical and moderately complex.

A fairly tight split recording offered in a very DIY package.

STREAM
Calculator - Our Homes, Our Graves
Moldar - Growing Roots...
Moldar - ...And Eyes in the Back of My Head

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kram1234 (September 16, 2009)

score for mldr

Lurkz (August 21, 2009)

moldar rules so hard..... alpod4, eh.

blackjazze (August 18, 2009)

Brian doesn't really know what he's talking about. Not much of a critique.

kram1234 (August 14, 2009)

alpod will not be the last this time

alpod4 (August 12, 2009)

Moldar rules so hard... Calculator, eh.

sexualsunshine (August 11, 2009)

Do not know how i haven't heard either of these bands. Awesome stuff!

mikexdude (August 11, 2009)

I was kidding too : )

kram1234 (August 11, 2009)

hahah rockstars

kram1234 (August 11, 2009)

i apologizedddddddd

no score cause i cant rate my own stuff. weird

Tom_Deschlonge (August 11, 2009)

well, nevermind.

Tom_Deschlonge (August 11, 2009)

if blackjaw doesn't answer me in the next five minutes, i'm just going to assume that the guys in calculator are huge rockstars in a little independent band and i will never ever ever give them a listen.

the above score is for leftover crack and all bands associated with them. because of their rockstar attitude, i refuse to rape my ears with their music.

Blackjaw_ (August 11, 2009)

If you go read the Castevet review, I was the first to react to the Calculator guy's comment. He was also probably more inclined to apologize to me because I expressed that it's going to affect how I feel about their music, being a fan of it beforehand. Maybe he couldn't get in touch with Mike, who knows? Or maybe he did and apologized to him as well.

It doesn't matter though anyway, let's just forget about it.

Tom_Deschlonge (August 11, 2009)

Blackjaw: Why would the guy from calculator apologize to you when he was big ole prick to mike?

xIxKilledxJesusx (August 11, 2009)

score is for mikexdude

Blackjaw_ (August 11, 2009)

Mike, the Calculator guy apologized a few times, even sent me a couple e-mails about it. I've made some pretty stupid posts I didn't mean on here... lots of them. Let it go? :)
_____________

Score is for Calculator's side, I freaking love them. The majority of this screamo/emo revival stuff is unlistenable to me, but there are some bands such as Calculator that I can't stop listening to.