Style: Math Rock, Prog Metal (instrumental)
Review by: Mike
Country: United Kingdom
Release date: December 4, 2020
I usually categorize instrumental rock acts into one of two categories. There are those that tend to have a lead instrument which mimics the presence of a vocal melody and those that don’t. The latter might be free to explore without the constraint of maintaining that vocal illusion but that can come at a cost. It can be difficult to create memorable music without a clear, concise, front-and-center melody. Alpha Male Tea Party’s Infinity Stare is an album that falls into the latter category.
The proggy math rock that you’ll find here is missing that compelling melodic element. The album is like a really good oatmeal raisin cookie but you can’t help but wish it had chocolate chips. It’s well produced, the performances are good, and the songs can be catchy in spots…but there is just something missing to tie it all together. There are albums that I love that I would describe similarly in terms of how they treat the melody, like Night Verses’ From The Gallery Of Sleep. Albums like that, however, seem to be the exception to the rule and Infinity Stare doesn’t ascend to that level.
The album starts strong with one of its heavier and more memorable tracks, “God U.N.I.T.”. Here the band as a rhythm section sound tight and are clearly in sync with one another. There are multiple sections of this track that I enjoy while listening but as soon as the track ends it feels like it has gone in one ear and out the other. “Leather Diamond” is a good example of a track that would benefit from some additional melodic content. The song’s quieter sections have little melodic flourishes but the more epic section towards the end of the song just feels like an unfinished backing track.
“Desperate For An Atmosphere” has some more interesting rhythmic elements than other tracks and that helps to create a more memorable experience. “Sad Balloon” feels more like a post-rock track but it doesn’t feel out of place. The album closes with the title track which is the only song that features vocals, even though it’s only the second half of the 4 minute track. While the vocals aren’t anything to get too excited about, they do help highlight what the previous 42 minutes were lacking.
I feel a little guilty being overly critical of this album. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a likable piece of music, especially for those with a soft spot for instrumental math rock. Ultimately though, Infinity Stare just feels incomplete and lacking in melodic impact. The album failed to make a lasting impression after multiple listens and was absent a standout moment that made me want to come back for more.
Recommended tracks: God U.N.I.T., Desperate For An Atmosphere, Bonfire Disaster Movie
Recommended for fans of: Cleft, Night Verses, Strawberry Girls
Final verdict: 6/10
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
Label: Big Scary Monsters – Website | Facebook | Twitter
<band in question> is:
– Greg Chapman (Drums, Percussion)
– Ben Griffiths (Bass Guitar, Vocals)
– Tom Peters (Electric Guitar, Vocals)
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