Math rock: Encyclopedia II - Math rock - Characteristics

Math rock - Characteristics

Whereas most rock music uses a basic 4/4 beat (however accented or syncopated), math rock frequently uses compound meters such as 7/8, 11/8, or 13/8, or features constantly changing meters based on various groupings of 2 and 3. This rhythmic complexity, seen as "mathematical" in character by many listeners and critics, is what gives the genre its name. Musically, math rock derives from other rock genres, including rock, heavy metal, progressive rock or punk rock. Math rock often sounds familiar but somehow "off". It fits into those genres but is never a classic example.

Musicians who purposely turn to mathematics to find new creativity in their music are also classified math rockers. They manipulate, twist and syncopate to confuse, to delay, to create something that is a twist on rock, punk, or pop, something familiar but "wrong," something new. Some math rock artists and fans refer condescendingly to rock bands who do not use complex meters as merely "4/4 bands."

Lyrics are generally not the focus of math rock; the voice is treated as just another sound in the mix. Often, lyrics are not overdubbed, and are positioned low in the mix, as in the recording style of Steve Albini. Several math rock groups have been entirely instrumental.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Characteristics", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki