

Thank You Scientist - Maps of Non-Existent Places
Justin Berry | October 26, 2014
Claudio Sanchez’s record label is starting strong by reeling in some pretty unique sounds, and Thank You Scientist is no exception. With there recent release, Maps of Non-Existent Places, they bringing upbeat, progressive rock and jazz (among about fifty other genres) together in something that sounds so seamless, it just might have its own genre soon. It should actually. I could literally write a few paragraphs on the versatility of this band; it’s utterly impressive the amount of different sounds they have through the album. Aggressive guitars, slamming drums, chilled out horns, excellent vocals, all weave together for one
of the most unique and enticing soundscapes I have ever heard. They even broke into the UK’s top five jazz albums on Amazon, which is pretty fucking epic for a newer band to do. You can go ahead and try to put a name on this style of music, go ahead, try, I’ll wait...The only thing you can use are adjectives like epic, awesome, raddest-shit-I-have heard. Pulling through the progressions of the music is roller coaster of ear-gasms.
“Feeding the Horses” offers a pretty good idea of what they have to offer and let me tell you, this septet is bringing the heat. With vocals I am sure Claudio himself respects (obviously), the jazz line behind the main progressive rock makes you question why someone has not done this before. This shit rocks, plain and simple. If you don’t jam this album then I am sure we can’t be friends, but I’m okay with that. This music is probably better than you anyway.
Just when you thought it was over, and they couldn’t get any more blood pumping into my ears, they throw in “Blood on the Radio.” It opens up with a mariachi band on cocaine. Pulsing horns throwing out in-your-face blasts, feeding straight into the violin, calming it down to bring in the vocals and a groovin’ bass, then progressing into a lighter metal riff with the drummer killing it. This band is so musically versatile, I would argue that you could have a few specific genre loving individuals, and they would all find at least one thing they like about this band.
This brings me to my personal favorite, and as cliche it might be, I don’t care. “My Famed Disappearing Act” absolutely kills it. I am of the impression that they saved the best for last. It opens with some meaty guitar riffs, horns come in, and then some drumming that leads you to think you could actually run a marathon. Don’t, of course, unless you’re listening to this album, then by all means go for it. They pulled some breakdowns out of their sleeves that are on-par with their above average everything. I believe this is what you would call a “raving” review. They deserve it and more. If this is where music is going as a merger, sign me up to be the first one to hop on that bus, it’s going places at a killer speed. Thank you, Thank You Scientist for breaking the mold.






