NEW SENTIMENTALITY

Toe. are a band that can be either seen as a post-rock act or a math rock one depending on which side you come from. It can be seen as a math rock band with emotional touches or a post-rock band with a dynamic flare, but whatever label they may fall into, the music on this EP has a certain charm to it that you'll be listening to it for weeks to come.

The music in New Sentimentality may not sound loud enough to make an impression or to stun the listener on the get go, but you'll slowly subdue to the music either by the warm acoustic guitars and fender rhodes (two instruments rarely seen in this kind of music) or the brisk drumming that, while being fairly complex, is still soft to the ears. Their start-stop dynamics never sound jagged or out of place because they're smoothed out with memorable melodies. The album has a breezy and organic sound thanks to the acoustic guitars which gives the album a great atmosphere which remind me of bands like As The Poets Affirm or Do Make Say Think (in atmosphere, not sound). The flamenco-ish clapping in "1/21" also adds to the atmosphere along with the lovely fender rhodes and horns (or that's what I think it is). The first three songs on this EP share the same atmosphere while "Goodbye" sees the band playing the first electric guitar on the EP. The "lovely fender rhodes" is still present in the song as well as the acoustic guitars, but they're now accompanied by a new instruments: vocals. They aren't just thrown in for the sake of having them, these guys do them well and they do add alot to the overall emotion of the album. Probably my favorite song from the band. Lets just hope they get to experiment with it more on future releases.

This EP was my first taste of this band and I quickly fell in love with their sound and grabbed their other releases. My only set-back is that it's too short! OK. I know this is an EP and EPs tend to be short by nature (unless we're talking about Jakob or Yndi Halda...), but the music here is so wonderful that it leaves you wanting for more. Keep an eye out for these guys, they showed great potential with this release and with their full-length album as well.

3.5 out of 5

A short review for a short album!

Toe is one of the rare bands that can combine elements of math rock with post rock without feeling forced, and New Sentimentality is a great way to see all of these facets utilized to their fullest. Dreamy and spacious guitars mix with tight, rapid, complex drumming and are tied together with atmospheric, emotional vocals to create an experience that is all at once thoughtful and exciting. "Goodbye" is the best example of this, which starts off with a humming, impassioned guitar line not unlike something you might hear from an early Modest Mouse album, but is soon driven forward by what is simultaneously one of the catchiest and most intricate drumlines I've ever heard.

Toe's ponderousness can wear a bit thin on a full-length album, but as a 20 minute E.P. their music is just what the doctor ordered. If you're a fan of post rock or math rock, there's no reason for you not to give this little gem a listen.