Cleft – ‘Wrong’ [Review]
If you need proof that black clouds can have silver linings, here it is.
Cleft pretty much define modern instrumental math-rock, summoning and summarily mutating the spirits of everyone from Tom Morello to Metallica, Muse, Biffy Clyro and Royal Blood while ensuring such recognizable flavours remain but a small part of an absolutely inimitable whole. Theirs is an off-kilter mix of legendary rock-related styles crammed tight into a musical Nutribullet, each approach’s essential nutrients extracted with precision and blended together finely and deliciously.
Like a quality smoothie, Wrong may prove to be right for your health.
Your sanity, on the other hand, may suffer. Every tune on Wrong (bar on-edge interlude Alan and the ruminative David) seethes, fizzes, drags and drops like an interstellar amusement park ride. Think kooky loops, head-spinning polyrhythms, devastating drumming, a generous dollop or two of out-there effects, and you’ve got the gist.
It’s more than a little ironic that one of the UK math scene’s most forward-minded bands are breaking up, but it’s a respectable decision – and let’s face it, it could be worse. We’re not talking simultaneous Viagra-overdose-induced mid-orgy heart attacks, after all. Dan and John will live to write and perform again, albeit separately, and that is something to appreciate.
Fare thee well, Cleft. You will be missed – but at least we have something epic to remember you by.
TMMP RATING: 97% (Essential listening!)
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