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Math rock is a very loosely defined genre of music. The term is hard to describe and often misused. However, one good way to describe it is as a style of rock that has almost no trace of folk or blues, which is the traditional definition of rock. Instead, the sound may have a loose, jazzy-like and spontaneous feeling, in contrast to the direct and compelling sound of blues and folk. At the same time however, the music is also calculated, and instrumental riffs are often based on timed formulas. For example, a guitar riff may repeat a sequence of five quarter-notes over 4/4 time signature, thus giving the listener an overall feeling of chaos, in spite of the riffs rigid structure.
The genre is gaining more influence, especially in the Los Angeles area. Bands like The Blood Brothers, Plot to Blow Up the Eiffel Tower, and An Albatross are some of the most famous math rock bands.
by Tyrone Jiggadubz August 07, 2005
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May 14 Word of the Day
Intelligence agency term for "psychological operation". A government or corporate-sponsored operation, usually taking the form of a "terrorist attack" or "crazed gunman on a spree", with the intent of panicking the public into demanding more police and laws inhibiting freedom. Psyops are usually carried out by drugging a civilian or group of civilians with aggression-promoting drugs, psyching them up, arming them, and sending them out to commit mayhem. Government-sponsored terrorism. See also blackshirts, conspiracy
Person A: Man, that nutcase Martin Bryant guy shot 35 people in Tasmania!

Person B: No, he wasn't a nutcase, that was just a psyop so the government could have an excuse to ban guns.
by Mystikan April 11, 2006
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2
A loose grouping of bands into a genre (but not a specific scene) of varying sounds. All share similar, abstract qualities and most find jazz as an influence. The math rock movement mostly occured during the mid to late 1990s. Bands that can be called math rock include June of 44, Rodan, Polvo, and the 1.6 Band.
Shir, that drummer sounds like he only listens to math rock.
by andrew September 24, 2004
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4
Intentionally using numbers and formulas to create music. The patterns usually consist of 1's and 2's with accents on the 1's; Using any rhythmic pattern of chug-chugs to create an odd time-signature. Another common practice is to add or subtract a beat from an even time signature.
Don Caballero, Breadwinner, The Oxes, Farauet, and The Kickass are all examples of mathrock bands.
by "Loc Star" November 01, 2005
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5
Music that's so technically difficult to play that it sounds like shit to the average listener.
I'm sure this is hard to play, but this Math Rock crap sounds like shit.
by Sethzky September 05, 2008
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6
a band that uses a formula to write a song. Usually referring to bands influenced by Rush, Helmet, King Crimson, etc, which use complicated repeating rhythms, or highly intellecutalized beats based on some kind of math formula.
Dude, those guys are the sons of mathrock with their beats.

Rush wrote a song called YYZ, in which the beat is morse code for YYZ. That IS mathrock.
by octavius April 26, 2004
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