Karate Mountain - More Than Ever Before

Karate Mountain

More Than Ever Before
self-released; 2015

4.0 out of 5

By Matt Jensen

Karate Mountain is like a talented jazz band that got sick of only playing jazz. This band is all around pretty great.  The core members consisting of Keith Penney (accordion/piano), Nahum Zdybel (guitar/guitar-like instruments), Matt Roads (bass), Taylor Rankin (drums) and Pete Agraan (drums) is refreshing amongst an emergence of post-rock and shoegaze bands. 

If you want to get real the members of Karate Mountain are a bit too technically talented for your run of the mill post-rock/shoegaze band. To even someone who has a meager understanding of music theory it is quite obvious that the band knows what they're doing. 

Their latest release More Than Ever Before is very much an extension of their debut The Bravest Beetle. They also get to tap the shoulders of nine other people who contribute a vast array of instruments and expertise. 

What I must mention is that More Than Ever Before is not a pop album. If you are one to think a good song must have a hook and a catchy chorus you will probably find this album boring. That being said, if you are a connoisseur of music who likes the subtleties, details and complexities then you will relish what Karate Mountain has to offer. 

There are nine songs on More Than Ever Before that are fully realized pieces of work. The songs average about eight minutes in length and are constantly introducing new transitions. It’s not so much that there is a surplus of sounds but also the barrage of notes and dynamic possibilities that is engaging. There is little point of going into the details of each song. I just encourage you to grab a drink, relax and enjoy the many layers of  musical intricacy More Than Ever Before offers.

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