In Review...Mathemagic; Library Voices

Mathemagic 

Mathemagic EP

On the surface, the dreamy electronics inhabiting Mathemagic’s self-titled EP are peaceful and sleep-inducing, ideal music for the background. Plunge deeper and the warmly cool subtleties emerge.

The sonic architects behind Mathemagic are brothers Evan and Dylan Euteneier. The products of Guelph, Ontario, the Euteneiers are not the sort of electro-wizards interested in crate-digging and splicing. What drives Mathemagic’s airy electronics are hazy guitars, aqueous synths, and beautifully lulling vocals that often register just a notch above a whisper.

Clocking in at just over 18 minutes, Mathematics’ eponymous debut EP is but a mere appetizer with the main course arriving later this year. If it is anything like this promising digital release, it should put these boys on the map.

-Mykael Sopher

Rating: 3.0/4.0
Web: http://www.myspace.com/mathemagic
Choice Cuts: “Breaststroke”, “Beach Days”
R.I.Y.D. Beach House, Toro Y Moi, Yo La Tengo’s And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out
Label: Paperbag Records

Library Voices

Denim on Denim

There wasn't a record that I was more looking forward to in 2010, based on the promise of their previous EP, Hunting Ghosts (2008), and especially after seeing them live a couple of times. Unfortunately, Library Voices' Denim on Denim is not the outstanding debut that it could have been. 

Recorded in Regina "in the back of a local dance studio", Denim on Denim fails to live up to its potential by not capturing any of the spontaneous energy that makes this eight-member band so special. 

 

Every song on Denim on Denim sounds too polished, cleaned-up and over-produced...the melodies and such are strong enough, but any hint of the controlled chaos that makes a Library Voices show such an exhilarating experience is missing. The band and co-producer Orion Paradis unfortunately decided to play it very safe, which is really too bad.

 

I still think Library Voices is the best, most exciting emerging indie band in Canada, period. You just can't hear that band on Denim on Denim.

-Nigel Moore

Rating: 2.0/4.0

Web: http://thelibraryvoices.blogspot.com/

Choice Cuts: "Drinking Games", "Insider Trading (On Outsider Art)", "Bookish"

R.I.Y.D. The New Pornographers

Label: Young Soul Records/EMI