review by: Roberto Martinelli

This San Francisco-based math rock band has kept with the same basic blueprints of their last two records, equally creatively titled III and IV. Math rock is an instrumental only (or, almost always) form of music that is close to rock but stresses technical skills. Also, math rock bands often don't have a bass guitarist. The Champs have added appeal to a wider audience as their characteristically heavy sound draws a great deal from heavy metal.

But The Champs don't like to be called metal, even though one of their members used to play in the godly Weakling (review in issue #1) and is a big metal fan himself. In fact, it seems as if The Champs are one of these bands that like to distance themselves from any genre. Considering this, it came as sort of a surprise that this band keeps making the same kind of record over and over; in fact, III has the most diversity with inclusion of several electronica tracks and ambient pieces.

Not that I'm complaining. When a band finds a formula as good as this one, you can't fault it for sticking with it. The Fucking Champs sound has this great blend of heaviness and clarity that makes it stand out. Then there are the signature riffs.

III is still the best and most diverse record I've ever heard of this band, and is one of my favorite albums ever. However, V is better than IV, which got a little slow and uninteresting for about 10 minutes after the first few, excellent tracks. V keeps things engaging throughout, but the stand out track for me is ironically one that is an adaptation of J.S. Bach's "Air." The theme of Andres Segovia (a classical guitarist) worship is represented here with a bouncy version of the theme that appears twice on III.

The Champs aren't trapped in a style that won't allow them to progress - yet. Artistic development ideals aside, this band can continue to release the same kind of record with the same packaging and presentation and still remain one of the favorites of people like me. Recommended.