First released 20 years ago today at live shows only and available later in the year online and through Warner Records, this is one of my favorite albums of all time. Mutemath created a masterpiece that combines frenetic drums, pounding bass, layers of keyboards and excellent guitar work to build a unique sonic landscape that you would think could not be reproduced live, but it was actually a spectacular live show as well. I'm not sure what exactly I would call this as far as genre, but maybe "electronic rock" fits. The opening song, "Typical", is a burst of energy that propels the band through the rest of the album. "Noticed" delights with some little bits of audio that are so creative. "Stare At The Sun" starts the middle of the album, which is my favorite, as it is the most epic and experimental part. The song's lyrics finish and it transitions seamlessly into "Obselete", an instrumental jam that relies heavily on the bass and drums. "Break The Same" begins with a bang and is a lengthy declaration of our shared humanity, complete with lots of shouting of the chorus line from lead signer Paul Meany amidst the organized cacophony of the band. And "You Are Mine" is a beautiful love song, no matter if it's to a lover or a higher power—I'm not sure which was the band's intention. The version of this album on streaming is the version released on Warner in November 2026, which includes "Control" and "Plan B" from their earlier EP as well as ends with a slightly reworked version of their instrumental jam "Reset", which always wows listeners. Mutemath continued for another decade or so before disbanding over strained relationships, sadly, but this is still their finest work, in my humble opinion.

Release Year: 2006
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