65daysofstatic – The Fall of Math [10th Anniversary Reissue]

Marking ten years since the seminal post-rock album The Fall of Math, 65daysofstatic are giving a new lease of life to a defining body of work with a celebratory anniversary reissue. Now older and wiser, what the band have lost in their trademark long hair they make up for in bonus tracks as they head out a number of timely reunion shows across the country from 25 March.

Recorded in just four days at the crux of global uncertainty as a result of the Iraq invasion and lasting aftermath of 9/11, the frantic urgency and panic was entirely tangible throughout the groundbreaking 11 track debut. Darkly atmospheric and with enough decibels to be physically felt, their originality left a whole generation of experimental rock in their wake, paving the reverb-echoed way for peers such as Explosions In The Sky and Youthmovies.

From the opening bars of “Another Code Against The Gone” any historical fans will be sickened with nostalgia at every distorted sample and static-filled crackle, while those coming anew to 65daysofstatic’s inception will be well introduced to the duality of a band that were the masters of eking out emotive highs and lows.

“Retreat! Retreat!”, as the original single from The Fall of Math, is perhaps the most recallable as it opens with the fuzzy line “This negativity just makes me stronger, we will not retreat, this band is unstoppable”, a lyric that became the lasting 65daysofstatic manifesto throughout their five album career.

Amongs the many moments of electric chaos, there also are glimmers of extreme serenity and calm before the storm as recalled in “Default This”, where beautifully honed harmonies dance underneath erratic electronic glitches.

In comparison, “I Swallowed Hard, Like I Understood” is a consistent pulsating noise that swells with a mass of melodic guitar harmonies and electronic hooks until breaking point. Title track “The Fall of Math” also sees a collision of strings, broken beats and indulgent prog rock breakdowns collide in an almighty clattering crescendo. “Fix The Sky A Little” is 65daysofstatic’s most delicate piece by far, with shimmering vibrations and distant child-like vocal loops before the slow build up slides back into more familiar territory.

For those looking for something new amongst the old material, the reissued edition includes bonus tracks from the following Hole EP as well as an accomplished “Retreat! Retreat!” remix from Mothboy. The apocalyptic extra “The major cities of the world are being destroyed one by one” track is also a nice addition, with its whirring sci-fi overtone set against innocent sounding chords.

What 65daysofstatic did best back in 2004 was create stirring compositions that unashamedly elicited an emotional response. It’s clear from the ‘Fall of Math’ reissue that despite a decade passing, different uncertainties existing now and the world spinning many many times, nothing has really changed all that much on that front.