"Typical" by MUTEMATH, Tuesday, March 22, 2022

We all have a past and we are all measured by the mistakes and accomplishments that we've made in our past. And just because we want to turn over a new leaf doesn't mean that others see the new us as we want to be seen now. Take for example, today's band, an indie rock band from New Orleans. After the demise of the Christian Rock band Earthsuit, several members went on to form an experimental rock band call MUTEMATH. 

I'VE WORKED IN THE BLAZING SUN. Earthsuit gained acclaim both in and outside of Christian circles. Members of dc Talk and delirious? and Rebecca St. James all proclaimed that Earthsuit's artistic, experimental yet well produced record Kaleidoscope Superior was what the future of Christian music looked like. But Earthsuit departed from Sparrow Records and released an independent album, The Rise of Modern Simulation,  that failed to reach the level of success of its predecessor. By 2003, the band that came "from '98 to '99, 2000 and beyond" decided to call it quits with lead singer Adam LeClave starting a band called Macrosick and backing vocalist/rapper/keyboardist Paul Meany forming MUTEMATH with fellow Earthsuit drummer Darren King and bassist Roy Mitchell. MUTEMATH produced an EP titled Reset which contained the band's first radio singles marketed to Christian Rock radio: "Control" and "Peculiar People," the latter being one of the band's most explicitly Christian songs based on 1 Peter 2:9. 

I KNOW THERE'S GOT TO BE ANOTHER LEVEL.  MUTEMATH signed to Warner Music and the label tried to release their music through their Christian imprint, Word Records. Word released Reset, but when it came time to release the band's eponymous debut, the band wanted more exposure than an obscure rack under the Christian/Gospel section, so they sued the record label to be removed any mention of their Christian past. While the lawsuit took place, the original version of MUTEMATH was shelved. The lawsuit ended with a re-negotiated contract, a re-released debut, and a radio single, "Typical." With the release of their first album, MUTEMATH obtained coveted tours, late night spots, and buzz that should have made them one of the staples in late '00s alternative/indie rock. The band was also boosted when American Idol contestant Chris Sligh sang "Typical" on the show. What went wrong with MUTEMATH? I stopped listening past the band's follow up, Armistice because I felt that their style and mine were going different ways. Their songs no longer spoke to me the way that punk, emo, and pop did. Maybe the band never really followed up their first hit, but they certainly aren't defined by it. But somehow, I still think that nothing beats listening to Earthsuit on my three-disc changer. MUTEMATH has some of those elements, but it still feels lacking.



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