dd/mm/yy
Black Square
dd/mm/yy (pronounced “Day Month Year”) are an experimental indie rock group from Toronto. Consisting of five members, the group has made it their objective to defy musical classification.
The tunes put out by these guys can be described as abstract and unique, as the opening track “Bronzage” hits you with a slap in the face and carries that energy right up until the end of the album.
Combining a slew of identifiable genres ranging from the very punk vocals to the math-rock drumming, dd/mm/yy has described their own musical style as “a mess of spastic, specially-challenged art rock with jagged diamond-back guitars, ‘80s video game synthesizers, and drums that roll with all the punches of the discordant, dreamy vocals.”
The restless synthesizer brings to mind bands like Motion City Soundtrack, although much less pop rock and a little more attitude.
The most intriguing aspect of this band is the constant rotation of member roles. With each passing song on the album, each member alternates vocals, drumming, bass, synth and guitar. One can appreciate this music a great deal more, as it offers insight into how musically-inclined these guys are.
On first listen this album is just a bunch of noise. Several listens later, after giving it a fighting chance, the music finally proves itself and there was a method to the mayhem of Black Square.
This music will undoubtedly annoy the vast majority of listeners. Its style is meant for true music lovers — those who are aware of and appreciate the time, effort and skill needed to compose music of this nature, with constant changing tempos and time signatures.
However, for those looking for a more refreshing take on things within the music industry and are tired of fuelling the success of the cookie-cutter rock spit out by the likes of Nickelback and Theory of a Dead Man, look for Black Square by dd/mm/yy.
Black Square – 3/5