Both kinds of bands probably hate the thought, but progressive-rock and hardcore bands often share something: an impatience verging on fidgetiness that makes them pack lots of changes into brief timespans. Maps & Atlases, a band from Chicago, is firmly in the math-rock camp: odd meters, intertwining guitar lines and stop-start drumming. The structures wind themselves up, knock themselves apart and veer into something new - which could be another hurtling pattern or a one-chord meditation - within seconds. The lyrics are sung in a reedy, unpolished croon that reminded me of Pere Ubu’s David Thomas, and they mention things like coin collections and “reassembling artichokes with Esther,” or something like that. Maps & Atlases’s music offers every bit of the exhilaration of virtuosity, but it’s not about showing off. It’s about getting all those ideas out before the next one crowds in.

That’s a heckuva paragraph for the Chicago foursome, and a good step in the right direction.

Chicago’s Maps & Atlases injected its angular indie rock with a compelling dose of prog rock…

Not very deep, but positive nonetheless. Let’s hope for some major media coverage of Maps & Atlases’ show opening the Sub-Pop stage at Emo’s IV.

A couple of pre-reviews from bloggers, reviewers and critics:

SUB POP: “And then, the band Maps & Atlases, who are not actually on the label, but who several people here think quite a great deal of, will be playing at 8:30.”

The Shins: “And then, the band Maps & Atlases, who are not actually on the label, but who several people here think quite a great deal of, will be playing at 8:30.”

On to a few actual reviews:

SXSW 2007 Day 1: “The first showcase I checked out was the “Sub Pop Records” showcase at Emo’s IV. Maps and Atlases, (the only band NOT on Sub Pop of the evening) started the night out with their technical and innovative brand of math rock. Led by Dave Davison’s wailing vocals, the band slaps you in the face with fits of guitar harmonics and razor sharp drumming. Speaking of the drumming, I have no problem crowning Maps and Atlases’ drummer the best of SXSW. Speed and consistency aside, his sheer innovation on the set, using his shells, rims and hardware in ways I have never seen before, puts him ahead of most drummers I have ever seen and I would be shocked if I see a better drummer in the next four days.” (Emphasis mine)

Sub Pop Showcase at Emos Lounge: Brilliant lineup of shiny’n'young indie stars. Maps and Atlases kicked it off with a beautiful solo song on flat lapped acoustic guitar punctuated with percussive taps and finger flicking beats….

Sounds like a great start to a great tour! If you’ve seen other reviews, or have your own, please feel free to post them in the comments or drop us an e-mail.

Bloomington, Illinois college radio station WESN 88.1FM puts Maps & Atlases as #6 on their chart of Top 30 plays. The small 100 watt radio station is the grassroots of getting to larger on-air playlists, so if you go to college or listen to a local college radio station, why not request Maps & Atlases latest tracks?

This vinyl will be released in two colors: clear and yellow. Friction is selling it for $12.25 on their pre-order before March 15th release. The album details are as follow:

Tracks:
1. the most trustworthy tin cans
2. the ongoing horrible
3. big bopper anthems
4. stories about ourselves
5. the sounds they make
6. songs for ghosts to haunt to
Side 2. every place is a house
& screenprinted image

Recorded at Engine Studios in Chicago, 2005 by Shiraz Dada. Mastered by Mike Hagler. Artwork and Screenprinting by Jeff VandenBerg.
Limited edition almost one sided LP.
First print 250 clear and 250 Yellow.

Jump on to Friction Records NOW and pre-order your copy of this limited edition album. Don’t miss out on the first pressing!

If you’d like to show your support, drop us an e-mail and let us know how many you want. Each sticker is $2 with free shipping. You can buy 6 for $10 (buy 5 get one free). Again, 100% of what you pay for the stickers will go to the band to support their tour.

Our goal is to raise $1000 to get them gas, food and emergency funds. If they’re not coming to your town, keeping them rolling is what we need to show them that we want them to visit more towns on their next run.

Here’s an image of the sticker:

Columbus, OH
Philadelphia, PA
New York City, NY
East Stroudsburg, PA
The Bronx, NY
Pittsburgh, PA
Grand Rapids, MI
Chicago, IL
Austin, TX (twice)
Fayetville, AK
Louisville, KY
Dekalb, IL
Minneapolis, MN
Fargo, ND
Rapid City, SD
Missoula, MT
Spokane, WA

That’s 13 states from the east coast to the west coast! Part of their tour is with up-and-comers These Arms Are Snakes. The middle of the tour is a stop at the world famous SXSW festival, where Maps & Atlases is playing on the Sub-Pop records showcase stage at Emo’s. Amazing!

If you live near any of these towns, get to the show and support the guys.

Somehow I managed to forget about my idea of posting about the weeks upcoming shows every Thursday. Woops. It’s probably because I have other commitments keeping from concerts most nights this week. But this coming Thursday is a day I will definitely be making it out to the Lower East Side for a fucking killer show at Pianos.

Maps & Atlases are a band from Chicago that I guarantee will be talked about on every single blog in the universe come SXSW time next month. Why? Theyre somehow playing Sub Pop’s showcase at Emo’s in Austin. Interesting? Yes.

And they’re playing this huge showcase for a reason. Maps & Atlases are good. Real fucking good.

MP3: Maps & Atlases- Every Place is a House

There are so many things going on with this band. If Dilute and Minus the Bear had themselves a lovechild, it would grow up into Maps and Atlases. Equal parts mathy dilute.-31 Knots-Eyes of Autumn era 54º40′ or Fight! stuff and driving intricate rock music ala Minus the Bear. The two handed tapping is what initially drives you into this song, but you’ll stay for the changing time signatures, the handclaps that surprise you from time to time, and the drummer who is still blowing my mind, even though I haven’t listened to them for a good 10 minutes.

Maps & Atlases will be at Piano’s on Thursday, February 22. They will just be starting a huge tour that takes them all over the place. Check their myspace for the dates.

That’s right, Maps & Atlases is playing SXSW on Sub-Pop’s showcase stage — a HUGE deal!

Their review is short:

Maps & Atlases, from Chicago, IL, play a spastic, artsy, unpredictable and very original brand of indie rock. Go buy their self-released EP, Tree, Swallows, Houses.

but the comments that follow are fantastic:

Jacob said: It’s too early to decide, but I think I like this.

sydney said: This band is amazing. I have been obsessed with them for a while now, nice to see you pick up on them. so good.

Ian said: This band is amazing. Fun live, too.

It’s great to see random larger blogs covering Maps & Atlases, and us fans supporting them in the comments. If you get a blog mention link here, don’t forget to comment there to support Maps & Atlases properly!