There’s nothing like a pun-based non-sequitur as the basis for a band name, and Bristol-based Hoggs Bison are amusing precisely because the name doesn’t quite work. It’s also quite an apposite selection, not because their music doesn’t work, but in twisting the words around, they’ve sort of created a new animal, which is also true of the music they make. It may be true that the EP’s first track, ‘The Wrong Right’ works to the conventions of so many jazz-influences math-rock tropes, with complex drumming providing the backdrop to a choppy guitar line, cut with a comparatively clean, crisp sound, which interloops back in on itself in a stop/start fashion.
Over the four tracks, they display a fascination – and aptitude for creating – a certain level of tension through dissonance and disorientation through the complexity and counter-signatures of the rhythm patterns, without resorting to making loud noise. There’s dynamic enough without that.
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Their tightly-woven instrumental workouts unquestionably evoke later Shellac in their obtuse and extremely patient arrangements, but then they also demonstrate a rare individuality in their varying approach to composition, tone and texture: the technicality of the music is not an obstacle to there being a distinct flow. It’s math-rock you can actually listen to and enjoy, rather than simply appreciate and admire.
I feel some inclination to wrap up with a punchline about pigs in space, but I’ll refrain for fear of looking like a muppet.
Spiritual Beggars Online
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