There are a few things that separate Mutemath’s new album, ‘Odd Soul,’ from the band’s previous two albums. First, it’s self-produced, and second, it’s the first album without original guitarist Greg Hill. The result: a 13-song triumph of blues-inspired electro-rock mix that’s original and refreshing. 

At the heart of the album lies the Mutemath fans know and love — the phaser effect of the guitars, big choruses and synthesizers. But on ‘Odd Soul,’ the New Orleans electronic rockers took inspiration from bands like The Black Keys and The Grateful Dead to create their best album yet. The band has never sounded so cohesive.

The album starts off with a bang with its title track and first single, which features fuzzy blues guitars and heavy bass. Its gritty sound sets the pace for the album and also introduces listeners to a new, funkier Mutemath. Paul Meany’s sensual vocals shine over the bombastic organ-filled chorus. ‘Prytania’ shows the band’s danceable side with a double-picked guitar riff over cymbal taps. Warning: This groovy jazz-inspired track will get you moving.

‘Blood Pressure’ and ‘Tell Your Heart Heads Up’ keeps the energy high with the help of a funky bass and guitar grooves. Bassist Roy Mitchell-Cárdenas filled in on all the album’s guitar parts, and he pushes all the right buttons, whether it is with his super fast hammer-on riffs, superb solos or just the choice of effects to mask sounds.

‘All or Nothing’ and ‘Sun Ray’ slow the high-energy vibe down as the members create two songs that most closely resemble their debut album. The five-minute ‘All or Nothing’ features airy vocals by Meany over a drum driven electronic beat. The progression is beautiful; the vocals cut out halfway through the song, leaving a stellar build of guitar and keyboard. Meany then re-enters, singing the chorus as the beat finally hits its climax. ‘Sun Ray,’ despite being an instrumental interlude, is no filler track. It attests to the band’s ability to jam and have the instruments speak for them. The keyboard and drums work in perfect harmony, creating a euphoric sound.

 The members channel their inner Grateful Dead and Phish, venturing into psychedelic rock territory with ‘Allies,’ ‘Cavalries’ and ‘One More.’ The songs feature drawn out synthesizer riffs and heavily distorted guitars. All three build to instrumental climaxes before exploding behind Darren King’s drumming.

The seven-minute ‘Quarantine’ defines the stoner rock. A perfectly crafted fuzz guitar alongside a psychedelic bass allows Meany to show off his vocal capabilities. ‘Quarantine’ is five songs in one. The time signature changes multiple times. The band weaves in new instruments throughout the epic track, including weird electronic noises, organs and multiple guitar solos.

The members once again show they are not afraid to evolve as musicians and take a chance. Sometimes this can backfire on bands, but that is not the case here. The band’s most ambitious album to date, ‘Odd Soul,’ fires on all cylinders. It delivers a more confident, consistent and towering sound. By taking inspiration from classic rock and more modern influences, the members finally creates the electronic-rock album they were always capable of creating.

drbleckn@syr.edu

Published on October 10, 2011 at 12:00 pm