Concert Review: MuteMath

As the show starts, long-time fans are braced for the controlled frenzy of Paul Meany (vocals, keyboards), Darren King (drums), Roy Mitchell-Cardenas (bass), and Greg Hill (guitar, keyboard effects, vibes) – veteran fans can even tell you at exactly what point in the show to expect Meany to flip his body over the keyboard in an explosion of rock & roll energy. For the faithful, this is almost ritual – to the inexperienced, it will be a shock to the system. For anyone, though, MuteMath’s live show is a must-see. It’s safe to say that there are few, if any bands around today that generate the kind of energy and excitement on-stage that MuteMath does. NYC was the last stop on the current tour – actually, the band went directly to Japan for a few shows the day after, but this was the official end of the US tour supporting the new album, Armistice.

The Armistice tour introduced an up-scaled version of MuteMath in concert, featuring a more elaborate stage-set (compared to the innovative but lower budget ‘Home Depot’ set, with its wall of endangered fluorescent light tubes) that mimics the famous arch of the Louis Armstrong park that’s featured on the cover of the band’s sophomore release. Like a proscenium arch in some Greek drama, the set almost makes you feel like you’re looking into a live-action diorama as, for about two hours, MuteMath keeps the audience both energized and mesmerized. The inside of the giant arch is a Pandora’s Box full of projected images – some vintage photographs, amorphous visions, and live video of on-stage band members super-sized for your enjoyment. At one point, Darren King appears to play a percussion introduction to “No Response” by striking projected circular shapes on the screen.

Physical mayhem and visual surprises are part and parcel of a MuteMath show. Lately, the aforementioned Mr. King has taken to surfing out amidst the crowd – passed along, standing atop his bass drum. The question is not so much, ‘will he go out there again,’ as it is, ‘will he decide to dive for the stage, or will he back-flip himself into the crowd?’ On this night, it was the back-flip.

While Meany and King sometimes seem more inspired by Evel Knievel than Elvis, it’s still the music that fuels the crowd (at least one hopes so), and it’s the combined forces of the band, including the dependable, articulate bass playing of Roy Mitchell-Cardenas and the increasingly multi-faceted contributions of Greg Hill that, together with the more noticeably visceral tag-team of Meany and King, effect the unique MuteMath sound and experience.

Explosions of backlighting silhouette Meany as he stands atop his battered Rhodes keyboard, keytar held high in an almost triumphant stance, as the familiar opening chords of “Typical” are joined by the staccato thunder of the drums and the rumble of bass. Before too many notes pass, Paul’s feet are on the stage again, dancing, singing, teasing the crowd with close contact, and spraying front-standers with drops of perspiration. The energy of the band is reflected by the energy of the crowd, a symbiotic give-and-take that defines the cultural ritual of rock show.

“The Nerve,” from Armistice, started off  a set list that included all of the hoped-for favorites from their self-titled debut (“Control,” “Typical,” “Chaos,” “Plan B,” “Break the Same,” “Reset,” “Stare at the Sun/Obsolete,”), a good portion of the new album, and even surprised the well-informed by dusting off the crowd-pleasing, “Peculiar People,” from the Reset EP, which had the whole room singing along to the ‘whoah -oh-oh-oh‘ chorus.

Along with “The Nerve,” Armistice was represented by the new single, “Backfire,” “No Response,” “Odds,” “Clipping,” “Pins and Needles,” the powerhouse workout, “Armistice,” and – to great response as part of the encore – “Spotlight.” The last track on the album, “Burden,” closed the show almost as the logical replacement for “Reset,” which formerly claimed that spot… For the completist – the set-list:

The Nerve
Backfire
Chaos
Clipping
Control
No Response
Plan B (”Plan C” arrangement)
Stare At The Sun
Obsolete
Peculiar People
Armistice
You Are Mine
Odds
Noticed
Typical
Burden

Pins and Needles
Spotlight
Reset
Break The Same

A MuteMath concert is a spectacle of lights, music and motion. Underpinning the success of the show, though, is a band that has paid its dues and knows how to play. Meany’s vocals continue to amaze as he broadens his palette to include a much more soulful side than we’re used to hearing, and his keyboard work combines the recklessness of Jerry Lee Lewis with the pop smarts of Billy Joel.  Darren King still dazzles with a drum style that has become so much a textural part of the music that the word ‘drummer’ hardly seems adequate. Roy Mitchell-Cardenas plays bass with a ferocious attack, consummate skill, and passionate demeanor – his bass lines on “Armistice” are both funky and physically amazing. Greg Hill, still ‘the quiet one,’ continues to lay down foundations of sound from his guitar, electronic panels, vibes, and even a percussion kit. If you’re hearing something you can’t quite identify, you’d better check to see what Greg’s doing.

Typical?

No – not these guys.

Photo Credits: Bert Saraco

• www.mutemath.com
• www.myspace.com/mutemath

↓ 5 comments

#1 Greg on December 17th, 2009 at 2:05 pm

I saw them in Nashville. They usually put on one heck of a show and the Armistice tour is no exception. In my opinion they are a must see.

#2 ELIOLI on December 17th, 2009 at 7:57 pm

Nice review Bert! We only hope to these guys one day!

#3 Brian on December 19th, 2009 at 2:31 am

I would love to get a chance to see these guys live. I’ve had to miss their last two shows in Portland because of unfortunate circumstances. :/

#4 Slink on December 20th, 2009 at 10:36 pm

Wow great review!

Its nice to know that they get the reviews that they deserve. Also think its awesome to pull out such an old song as “Peculiar People” at a show this recent.

#5 Stefan on December 27th, 2009 at 2:56 pm

*Sigh…*

How long will it take for them to come to Europe? I hope they will bring the proven stage set up

Good review!

Stefan

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