Instrumental math rock certainly had its few days in the spotlight, thanks in large party to a fantastic string of releases from Sargent House at the beginning of this decade (And So I Watch You From Afar, Tera Melos, and Adebisi Shank, among others). A lot of the noise seemed to come from the other side of the pond; albums from the sludgier, more post-metal-y end of the spectrum by Maybeshewill and You Slut! (yes, that’s a real name; Medium Bastard is a fantastic record) ushered in a very strong UK math rock scene. Liverpool act Alpha Male Tea Party can trace their lineage from the heavier side of the instru-metal scene, and their latest release is truly a fucking blast.
Yes, Alpha Male Tea Party are just as silly as their name suggests (song titles include “Carpet Diem” and “Nobody Had the Heart to Tell Him He Was on Fire”), but they take their songwriting quite seriously. (Don’t tell purists that there is some nice singing at the record’s conclusion.) On Health, their third release, they’ve shored up their sound and embraced more dynamics and a much more aggressive sensibility. This is still math rock at its polyrhythmic beating heart, but it’s more sludgy post-metal than, say, bright and cheery Tera Melos-style rock. Riffs are the name of the game, and they come at you quickly and furiously; there’s some meat and menace to these riffs, surely. However, it’s the group’s keen sense of dynamic songwriting that makes the heavier and more bombastic sections feel truly earned.
Math rock has a tendency to fizzle as an album goes along – the sheer bright energy and hip-shaking fun tends to wane after a few songs; however, that’s not remotely an issue for Health. My only gripe with the record is that individual songs don’t really stick out afterward, but the record has a truly vibrant and infectious feel that is maintained throughout the record. It’s that time of year when we have to make bold statements about year-ends and such, but more than anything else, I can say that Alpha Male Tea Party have released the most joyous and fun record of 2017.
Purchase the album here: Physical | Digital
