power

San Diego instrumental-prog rockers Sleeping People was one of the last real finds of 2007. Released on Temporary Residence the label, which also hosts Explosions in the Sky, Tarantel and Maserati and Grails among others, “Growing” is a straight forward instrumental rock album with trailing guitar riffs and rock solid drumming.

Cuneiform never fails to impress us with a steady supply of brilliant albums. Here’s a new album, by the band that I still haven’t been able to pronounce correctly : Ahleuchatistas. The North Carolina power trio belongs to the increasing number of brilliant progressive math rock albums that I’ve been listening to this year, full of odd times, shifting rhythms, janglnig guitars and other extremities.

Colorado’s IZ, formed by guitarist Michael Serviolo is a power trio, with bassist Tom Sublet and drummer David Kerman. Their 2006 album E-M remained below the radar somehow but I think it’s worth a few listens, if you’re into experimental heavy stuff. Progressive riffs, timechanges, abrupt stops and noise is abound on E-M released by the experimental household RERUSA.