Though I think the name of the band is very interesting and catchy, let me tell you right off the bat as a high school student who happened to excel at mathematics that mathematics is NOT sexy. What IS sexy about this band is the concept behind what they are trying to do. Instead of the same roots rock hoodoo most two person groups attempt, Sexy Mathematics aims straight for your feet – your heart, too, but mostly the feet. In fact, since the band is called Sexy Mathematics, let me throw two numbers at you: a nice sexy 8 and a curvy 0. Why those two sexy digits? Because those two hot numbers represent the two most important aspects of Sexy Mathematics’ sound. You see, their sound is just about locked into the synthpop sounds of the ’80’s. Yet, they don’t manage to slavishly copy groups of that time. They merely let it influence their sound. Sure, you know where they cut their musical teeth, but the duo ably adds nuances and manages to flesh out their sound so that you can be sure this is no slavish copy, but something totally new that sounds refreshingly familiar at the same time.

The first song A Novel Romance is interesting computer-pop which starts out almost as techno but then becomes some rock and roll/computer-music hybrid that’s at once arresting and enchanting. Though not really my cup of tea overall, I found it impossible to stop listening, mostly because I didn’t know what was going to come next. Very compelling song, and while the chorus seems hooky, overall kind of clunky for radio but a very innovative effort, nonetheless. The next song Who Knows could be by the Cars if the Cars had been influenced by 80’s synthpop instead of influencing it. Very poppy and more hooky than the first song, with a decent amount of guitar riffing that could be beefed up and improved by some better production values, which seem locked into the early ’80’s. Third song Transmissions starts off thin but gets beefed up by the first chorus with some compressed guitars and some funky synth breaks. Marc Bolan crossed with Depeche Mode. When Isometrics Collide a romantic synth ballad witgh some ballsy guitar that would fit into the movie Sixteen Candles if it were just being made today, unfortunately it’s not and the sound is a little retro for what’s going today pop-music wise. Song goes on seemingly forever too or does it just feel that way?  Up next is The Void and it is a pure dance-floor rave-up with guitars blazing and tempo racing. Great snarling pop and would’ve made the radio for sure back in good old ‘82.  The last song on this EP is called Set Up! and sounds almost like early metal but becomes Cramps-like soon enough, though not with that band’s frenetic pace. More metallic here but with enough dance elements to make it exciting. Very interesting song I can see making a big splash on radio.

While neither dance music, math-rock, nor techno make a big splash on my list of music genre preferences, I have to say I like what I am hearing on this CD. Though not much here could be called totally original, the way Sexy Mathematics manages to combine several genres and craft the result into a fresh sound is quite interesting and often innovative, if not totally unique. The only problem I see is the band having what could be perceived as a retro gimmick. While a lot of ’80’s music has become “retro-chic” among young people today with many bands appropriating those sounds, I fear that by following a similar path Sexy Mathematics may find themselves becoming more of an act with a shtick ala Southern Culture On The Skids or Brian Setzer who are seemingly more appreciated for their look and attention to period detail than they are with their actual musical talent or the statement they make through their songs. I guess time will tell the story but as I wait, I will listen to Sexy Mathematics new CD and hope they soon make another.

Reviewed by Scott Homewood

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