Band : City of Ifa
Album : Blue Shoes
Release Year : 2011
Release Year : 2011
Genre : Experimental | Progressive | Mathcore
Tracklist :
01. Beach Demon
02. Wings Clipped
03. Dry Seasons Pt. 1
04. Dry Seasons Pt. 2
05. Bliss Pelican.mp3
06. The God Damn Point
07. Black Pyramid
08. Pygmy Jerboa
09. Spring 52'
10. The Human Atlas
From the dark, magical suburbs of Oviedo, FL comes an act both eclectic and moving. Introducing City of Ifa. Pronounce that jank “eef-uh”, not “eye-fuh”. Yah get slapped, otherwise.
On their newest outing, entitled “Blue Shoes”, this energetic trio show an expansion and shift in their style, partly due to their newest member’s inclusion on this record on drums. What is found here can be described, very aptly, as a torrential movement of bursts of energy, starts and stops, and various stylistic elements flying around and running into each other, and somehow it all comes together in a nice package. Blue Shoes.
What is essentially some fusion of indie math-rock and post-hardcore, (sub-genres!) this is music for the adventurous. Often times, if not every time, the songs don’t sit still within a straight-forward structure. Lightning fast off-beats (or on?!) and trigger-happy riffs kick off the second track, “Wings Clipped”, which turns out to be one of the highlights of the album. That is if you can contain it all in some linear fashion. Within this one song are more shifts than a college student on his laptop… which I am. Perhaps the most surprising element is the two-step feel seemingly out of no where, and yet it couldn’t be anything else. Yeah, it’s that kind of music.
Throughout the album there are pleasing ambient touches, including, but not limited to, all of them. Like I typed before, it all fits like it should. A fantastic track that perhaps epitomizes the entire feel of the album is mover and shaker “The God Damn Point”. Sheet. Catchy riffs, leads, a rad breakdown, and a rather good vocal performance. Oh, and the vocalist just happens to be the sole guitarist in the band.
Impressive.
Needless to say, the skill to keep up with this groove is equally astounding, especially for new comer drummer Mike Kalaf. Each band mate holds their own well, although for most of the album, the guitars feel one-dimensional and seem to stay in a comfortable chord riff zone (which is weird to say, because this junk ain’t eaaaasy to listen to).
Perhaps the only deterrent for any new listener would be the ridiculously all over the map song structures. If you can conquer that, then you’ll find this a very rewarding journey. Trust me, I’ve listened to this a good 10 times.
02. Wings Clipped
03. Dry Seasons Pt. 1
04. Dry Seasons Pt. 2
05. Bliss Pelican.mp3
06. The God Damn Point
07. Black Pyramid
08. Pygmy Jerboa
09. Spring 52'
10. The Human Atlas
From the dark, magical suburbs of Oviedo, FL comes an act both eclectic and moving. Introducing City of Ifa. Pronounce that jank “eef-uh”, not “eye-fuh”. Yah get slapped, otherwise.
On their newest outing, entitled “Blue Shoes”, this energetic trio show an expansion and shift in their style, partly due to their newest member’s inclusion on this record on drums. What is found here can be described, very aptly, as a torrential movement of bursts of energy, starts and stops, and various stylistic elements flying around and running into each other, and somehow it all comes together in a nice package. Blue Shoes.
What is essentially some fusion of indie math-rock and post-hardcore, (sub-genres!) this is music for the adventurous. Often times, if not every time, the songs don’t sit still within a straight-forward structure. Lightning fast off-beats (or on?!) and trigger-happy riffs kick off the second track, “Wings Clipped”, which turns out to be one of the highlights of the album. That is if you can contain it all in some linear fashion. Within this one song are more shifts than a college student on his laptop… which I am. Perhaps the most surprising element is the two-step feel seemingly out of no where, and yet it couldn’t be anything else. Yeah, it’s that kind of music.
Throughout the album there are pleasing ambient touches, including, but not limited to, all of them. Like I typed before, it all fits like it should. A fantastic track that perhaps epitomizes the entire feel of the album is mover and shaker “The God Damn Point”. Sheet. Catchy riffs, leads, a rad breakdown, and a rather good vocal performance. Oh, and the vocalist just happens to be the sole guitarist in the band.
Impressive.
Needless to say, the skill to keep up with this groove is equally astounding, especially for new comer drummer Mike Kalaf. Each band mate holds their own well, although for most of the album, the guitars feel one-dimensional and seem to stay in a comfortable chord riff zone (which is weird to say, because this junk ain’t eaaaasy to listen to).
Perhaps the only deterrent for any new listener would be the ridiculously all over the map song structures. If you can conquer that, then you’ll find this a very rewarding journey. Trust me, I’ve listened to this a good 10 times.
And I’m a doctor.
So yeah, I heard you liked music. And having your mind pleasured, subtly/harsh like love.
Final Verdict: It’s an adventure worth taking, especially for those versed in the virtuoso and post-hardcore. -tumblr
