Getting to the Point Is Beside It

by I Love Math

Overview

I Love Math's easygoing, no-frills take on alternative country-rock is a nice change from the standard supergroup formula, wherein bandmates stack their talents into towering masses of sound. There's nothing grandiose or showy about this sophomore effort, which prizes melodies and light instrumentation over production gloss. Percussionist Philip Peeples (who, just several weeks prior to this album's release, issued a fairly upbeat record with his native Old 97's) doesn't even touch his cymbals, sticking instead to a stripped-down combination of kick drum, snare, and tambourine. Studio trickery is absent and overdubs are scarce -- only the laid-back, handclapped "Josephine Street" sounds at all indebted to the production booth, as its tremolo-laden guitars and serene harmonies share equal space with a French female's voice-over. Even so, the song is a solid example of I Love Math's restraint, and its radio-ready chorus (which, under the leadership of a band like Fountains of Wayne, could transform the tune into a sparkling pop anthem) only rears its tuneful head once. "The Shape of the Sum," "This Is Something I Might Miss," and "Too Many Demons" follow suit, flexing their tuneful muscles without running their hooks into the ground, and the bandmates barrel through the would-be rock song "Some People Get Away" at a comfortable gallop, hardly breaking a sweat but still communicating the tune's energy. Getting to the Point Is Beside It ultimately emerges as an effortless album by a pack of veterans who, after whipping up elaborate entrees with their respective bands, are now content to work with more basic ingredients. For those who like their mix of pop/rock and alt.country served straight up, this is pure comfort food. ~ Andrew Leahey

Product Details

Release Date:	05/27/2008
Label:	GLURP RECORDS
UPC:	0656605951126

Tracks

1. Some Bridges Are for Burning
2. Only Clowns Are Scary
3. This Is Something I Might Miss
4. I've Seen Better Days
5. Josephine Street
6. The Shape of the Sum
7. Run Back Inside
8. Too Many Demons
9. Volcanic Ash
10. Some People Get Away
11. These Paper Walls
12. Better Days (Reprise)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

I Love Math   Primary Artist
Philip Peeples   Drums (Snare)
John Dufilho   Guitar,Vocals
Aaron Kelley   Guitar
Ward Williams   Pedal Steel
Andy Lester   Guitar,Keyboards
Scott Danbom   Violin
Carter Albrecht   Keyboards

Technical Credits

Andy Lester   Group Member
David Rosenblad   Mastering
Salim Nourallah   Engineer,Producer
Philip Peeples   Group Member
John Dufilho   Engineer,Producer,Group Member