The difference, by ear
The same interlocking clean guitars and odd metres, with songs about feelings attached. Many bands are claimed by both.
Math rock is mostly instrumental where Midwest emo is sung cleanly, at much the same pace, around 100 to 160 bpm. To hear the difference, play American Football next to Slint. They share a root in rock, and math rock came first, by six years.
In figures
Midwest emo
Where it sits
Rock › Punk rock › Hardcore punk › Post-hardcore › Emo › Midwest emo
In short
Open tunings and interlocking arpeggios, odd meters and lyrics about autumn and empty rooms.
How it sounds
- Open tunings and two guitars playing separate, interlocking lines.
- Odd meters used discreetly, with no display of technique.
- The occasional trumpet, slow tempos, and lyrics about places and seasons.
Key acts
- American Football
- Cap'n Jazz
- The Promise Ring
Start here
The pickAmerican Football - Never Meant. That opening guitar figure is a whole genre.
Full page →Math rock
Where it sits
Rock › Progressive rock › Math rock
In short
Odd meters and interlocking riffs assembled like a puzzle, usually without vocals. Post-rock's cerebral cousin.
How it sounds
- Frequently changing odd meters, often with two guitars in different metres at once.
- Clean or lightly overdriven guitars in alternate tunings, with tapping and harmonics.
- Usually instrumental; where there are vocals, they are spoken or whispered.
Key acts
- Slint
- Don Caballero
- Battles
- Toe
Start here
The pickSlint - Spiderland. Six songs that changed independent rock.
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