Algebra of Need - Self Improvement

If only I could have heard this album last year. I have a strong feeling that it would have made the year end list. And yet again, I have to thank one of the blogs loyal readers for directing me to the Philadelphia based Algebra of Need. A bit of poking around on the internet really doesn’t turn up much press or anything of the sort for them, which is a shame because their debut record Self Improvement completely smokes and definitely deserves some praise.

While a lot of bands out there struggle with combing through their influences to create something interesting, Algebra of Need has apparently had absolutely no trouble with that once so ever. They are channeling the absolute best of the past two decades of noise-rock while mixing it up a bit with sort of a post-punk groove and bounce that ultimately keeps it from being one giant wash of noise. Not that I would have much of a problem with that either, but on Self Improvement the band manages to create a sound that will likely appeal to quite a few people despite the explosive feedback and tempo changes that come at the listener with reckless abandon. At thirteen songs in just under forty minutes, it really actually feels much shorter than that due to the band not slowing down one ounce throughout it all.

Algebra of Need – Another Skyscraper [MP3]
Algebra of Need – Nothing to Report [MP3]

Definitely check this one out if the samples above are sparking any interest. Self Improvement was self-released by the band as far as I know and can currently be purchased over at their MySpace or it can be had over at CD Baby. Fantastic stuff.