Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Some critics felt that after the sparkling diversity of 2004's 'Reset' EP, their first pitch at the mainstream market, 2006's 'Mutemath' was simply too generic and threw out too many of their stylistic eccentricities to stand out from the crowd. For this 2009 album Mutemath sharpened their compositions, brought in some chillout influences on the twin tracks "No Response" and "Pins And Needles" while "Spotlight" heard on the Twilight movie soundtrack has a engagingly eerie vibe. One or two of the tracks veer dangerously close to Muse imitations but, on the whole, there is plenty of invention in both production and arrangements while Paul Meany's vocals are exceptionally forceful. The main snag on 'Armistice' are the depressingly defeatist lyrics. "Clipping" contains the chorus "I don't know what is right anymore" (surely not a Christian sentiment) while "No Response" has Meany singing "Tell me what is wrong and right, I don't suppose anyone knows". Although there is powerful rock, one what is left with the impression of a band in spiritual crisis.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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