Reviews

The Mathletes

Fort Awesome

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Review Date: 2007-03-16

I don’t think I could’ve thought of a better band name or title for an album than The Mathletes Fort Awesome. Are you frigging serious?

To call them The Mathletes is a little misleading as Joe Mathlete is basically the sole constant, and writes, performs, and records essentially everything on Fort Awesome (with occasional exceptions). All this according to Myspace which is basically bigger than Jesus.

Fort Awesome is quirky. The songs were recorded with Casio Keyboards, drum machines, and sprinklings of guitar. The songs are well constructed with upbeat melodies and definitely have their pop hooks on full attack. The one underlying theme to this is that it’s got a childlike feel not unlike Daniel Johnston, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah or The Unicorns. Some of the songs subject matter references such things as the day the circus exploded, eating raisins, and something called “Pinocchiobot”. So I think its good, because it’s refreshing. The album sounds like it was recorded on a home computer, which it was, and it suits the style of songwriting perfectly. It’s hard to imagine a lot of these songs being played in a studio with a group of musicians.

The Mathletes music is unflinchingly direct, juvenile, at times embarrassing, yet ultimately fascinating. Fort Awesome is an inspiring slab of tunes that showcases nostalgic childlike views of the world through homemade indie pop. Some would call it a guilty pleasure as on the surface it seems fun and light hearted, yet there remains an underlying seriousness to the songs. Maybe, it’s the context in which this music is made and recorded (one dude, in a basement) or maybe I’m just sick of listening to adults sing about the trials and tribulations of having hormones and feelings to go along with them. In any case I like it, and you might to.

Score: 8

- Mark Browdy