experimental-music-reviews

[experimental-music-reviews]

Review of Lava Land - Piglet (EP) 2005

Piglet was the band who introduced me to experimental music, so it’s only natural that they be the first band I review.

Piglet is, or was, a Chicago based math rock band that was so short lived they only released this EP before breaking up. Despite being so short lived, they're well known in the post-rock and instrumental rock communities for their very clean and melodic guitars which are complemented by dense and complicated playing styles (using common math rock techniques like tapping and asymmetrical time signatures.) If you ever find a video of these guys playing live, the guitarist and bassist (Asher and Ezra are their names respectively) are playing so fast and accurately it almost seems like magic. And, again like most math rock, the drums are very prominent and punchy (which were provided by a Mr. Matt P.) The fact that there are no vocals on this EP may be a turnoff to some people, and while it is true that you have to pay attention a lot more while listening to this I think it’s worth the investment as this EP is extremely melodic and peaceful. If anything put this album on as you fall asleep as it is very peaceful and definitely has helped me get to sleep on more than one occasion.

Alright now let’s look at each track one at a time. I’m gonna give a brief description of each song and then sum up my overall feelings at the end.

1. Bugstomp: This song starts off with an explosion of fuzzy bass wjth the guitar meandering above it, before they break into a quick and repetitive hook. This song showcases a lot of classic math rock tropes like the sudden pauses and repetitive guitar licks, making this song a great start for anyone who has never heard any math rock before and wants to get into the genre. After the very frantic and crazy intro the song slows down a bit and becomes more melodic. The Bass starts to play frantically as it goes on and takes the spotlight as the guitar begins to take its time. Near the end of the track the song quiets down significantly and the drums take center stage with a lot of cymbals crashing, before dying down for the guitar to begin building up again. As the guitar builds up it almost swings around as if climbing up a spiral staircase before abruptly stopping once again. (Also, unrelated, but the name Bugstomp is somehow freakin’ adorable.) 

2. Caramel: This next track is noticeably softer than the previous song, and more straight forward. The bass kinda hangs in the back and the guitar sways from side to side in a nonchalant fashion (like someone walking down the sidewalk in a carefree way.) Then suddenly all at once the song explodes with a series of quick chord strums followed by a distorted lead guitar lick. After doing this a few times the song gets quiet again (funny story, I was experimenting with my guitar once and discovered a cool tapping lick that I thought was so original, until I heard it at this part of the song.) The song continues to stay kinda sway-ey until near the end it begins getting frantic and as they play the same lick over and over it gets faster every time until the song stops abruptly and the same explosion from earlier happens. Then it all ends abruptly and it moves on to the next track.

3.  Little Bubble, Where Are You Going?: This song begins with a count off (which caught me off guard) before moving into a very swinging and lounge-like melody. There aren’t many dynamics on this track, as it stays consistently quiet and peaceful without stopping very often. Not much else to say, I love how the drums sort of roll on this track, and the guitar is very peaceful. With the name of the song, I imagine that they’re trying to remain quiet as not to accidentally pop their bubble friend who has begun floating away.

4.  Anthropology Anthology: This track is the most carefree and laid back on this record, as it gives off a consistent and sure vibe of riding the wave. This song is almost trying to tell a story, and given the name it seems to be saying that while you can group together human experience and culture (as anthropology is the study of human societies), this subject may be to broad or loose to be grouped together (as an anthology is a collection or group of something.) The many different societies of the world are so different that maybe they need specific fields for each (which there are.) But that’s just my interpretation, there are a million ways to see this song whether you think it’s telling a story or not. Instrumentally this song is nothing new it’s kinda carrying the same quiet vibe of the previous song. 

 5.  Pangea Reunion: On this track we have the a kind of dreamy repetition that sort of lulls you like a stop watch hypnotizing you. The bands artistic and technical skills are really shown here as the guitarist works up the neck and returns right back to the bottom in an instant. Near the end of the track I get a bit of a bouncy, funky vibe. As the drums begin building up and after ascending for a bit that funk and bounce returns. Also as a side note I really love the name of this track, very interesting and eye catching.

6.  Plastic Stars, Cotton Highways: The name of this track paints an interesting picture in my head. The track fades in with a series of percussion (mainly bongos) that feel like the song is waking up and slowly stretching, before the regular drum set jumps in and the song really starts going. As if they’re showing off, the bassist and guitarist take turns playing very complication riffs one at a time, back and forth with each other. This song also has a quiet loud quiet loud dynamic. I love how as the song starts to end all three instruments kinda go off in separate directions but still sound beautiful together, before they all sorta jump back in the middle and finish off the EP with another sudden stop.

All together I really enjoy the sound and the complexity of the EP, but I do wish it had more variety. None of the tracks really stray far from the same sound, which in some ways is a good thing as the record remains consistent, but I do wish they experimented more.

The album art is stellar, and matches the theme of the EP. The music goes up and down like a roller coaster, but luckily unlike the cover art the music isn’t dangerous and breaking down like this roller coaster obviously is. And for the record a volcano is not prime real estate for a theme park where thousands of people are going to want to go. Sounds dangerous.

If you wanna give this EP a listen it’s on Youtube and Bandcamp, and I believe it’s on CD too. They had a limited pressing of 1000 vinyls, so you may have to search a bit if you wanna find one. And lastly if you wanna listen to their other work (which there isn’t much off) you can find some post-lavaland material on their bandcamp as well.

If you read this entire review thank you, and hopefully you give this EP a listen. Have a great day.