Tera Melos - Drugs To The Dear Youth

Tera Melos is a "math rock" band from Sacramento, California. I write "math rock" because that very narrowly describes the sound they create. If one to were to ask the band they would say they play "punk rock", but their music is a genre-bending fusion of jazz influenced post-hardcore with odd time signatures. They also make use of live electronics to add an extra layer to the sound. This record has had two pressings, the first of which was released back in 2007. This first pressing was  limited to only 500 copies on colored 12" records. The second pressing (which is the pressing mine comes from) was remixed/remastered and re-released in 2009  as a 10"with the help of the underground record label Sargent House. This album is the first one the band records as a three piece instead of four which in no way hinders their uniquely rich sound. Due to the fact that this is only their second ep it's amazing how much the band matured. On their previous album some of the songs meandered aimlessly, but on this release there is a much more clean, focused, well knit approach to their sound. One highlight on the record is the eight minute long "40 Rods To The Hog's Head." This song is by far the longest on the record and the band makes good use of the time. Although on might expect it, because of the length, they never bore the listener with mundane post-rock passages. It starts with beautiful progressive parts and the interplay between the drums and guitar is nonsensical but beautiful.  This track also shows the most use of the live electronics. The packaging for the vinyl has really cool art on it. The image is what I would expect if Dali re-imagined a Picasso. Also, the vinyl is a sweet clear/blue/green/purple splatter color. Overall the vinyl is a wonderful misadventure into the far reaches of the math rock genre and is highly recommended over their most recent release "Patagonian Rats."

Drugs To The Dear Youth:

http://www.mediafire.com/?ylmzzlz1jzm

Tera Melos Website:

http://teramelosmusic.com/

Buy Drugs To The Dear Youth:

http://teramelos1.tumblr.com/dttdy

-Jas