Maple Stave has been around for twenty years, which makes a lot of sense. It lists influences such as "Louisville" and "T&G", and these guys are obviously old enough to know what they're talking about. Just to name a couple Touch & Go acts, Maple Stave has carved a nice place between Don Caballero and Kepone--the latter becoming more apparent with the semi-recent addition of bassist Chris Rasmussen.

Maple Stave Arguments (self-released)

If the previous paragraph reads as Greek, well, understand that Maple Stave plays a pounding, throbbing form of math rock, with pulverizing rhythms serving as the building blocks for the band's technical songwriting. Few bands manage this feat without sounding either thin or chaotic. These guys have their meaty, full-throated coherent arguments (ahem) down pat.

The 90s are back, and in particular, that noisy, nerdy, vaguely-apocalyptic side of the 90s. This wasn't recorded or engineered by Steve Albini, but the band did get the job done at Albini's Electrical Audio in Chicago. So, um, even that part of the pedigree is spot on.

A deep look back before a headstrong charge into the future. Maple Stave's sound is right in my wheelhouse; just enough nostalgia to prime me for the band's forward-looking compositions. It's been a long time since I've heard precise noise this lovely.

Jon Worley