This Is Adelaide

Experiencing the structured clash of This Is Adelaide is akin to the first time you graphed a parabola: very structured, very nerdy, very magical. The band forms elaborate yet fathomable instrumental phrases and adds voice (either spoken, sung or screamed) only when appropriate. The music has a seriousness and tense sense of purpose, but it's obvious the band members don't take themselves too seriously, with note joke snippets between guitar curly-cues. Meanwhile, noise and bass take turns offering the rhythm and melody. The drums provide a calculated chaos support system. This cerebral silliness is further evidenced by song titles such as "Don't Forget the Turn Signal," "Grammar or Gravity?" or "Hey, Nice Sweatpants." The self-proclaimed tallest band in indie-rock is a must-see and that's not too hard. Chances are This Is Adelaide is playing somewhere right now.