The First Math Rock Album?

Discipline is the earliest math-sounding one that I've heard.

As for true math rock Don Caballero is always being credited for the first true math rock band. And I agree with that.

80's KC is a good call for Proto-Math, especially Discipline. Many of Math's distinctive, foundational elements are found on there - frequent odd time changes, polyrhythms, usage of various timbres and textures with guitars. Spiderland by Slint though, I think is probably a definitive example of the start of Math Rock, almost in the same vein as In The Court was for Prog Rock. Maybe Shellac too?

I don't hear math-rock on Spiderland either..

I associate Slint more with the Post-Rock side of these two like-minded genre. They seem a bit too 'slow' to be Math-Rock to me. But I hear a little of both in Slint.

Edited by Sheavy - August 29 2012 at 22:51

"The Shaggs were formed by Dot, Betty and Helen in 1968, on the insistence of their father, Austin Wiggin, who believed that his mother foresaw the band's rise to stardom."

My guess would be King Crimson's "discipline." 

Originally posted by Atavachron it's one of those myths perpetrated by musical 'history' rather than evidence

True, and to be quite honest, that's really reason why I believe it is. I'd like to think it was, I mean there are certainly some foundational elements there, but the overall sound Math Rock is commonly known for is sort of absent. I agree, it does sound calm, opposed to your average Giraffes? Giraffes! album. But then again, shouldn't a genre's sound and elements progress over time? Just like how modern Post Rock sounds very much different than it did with Millions Now Living and Laughing Stock.

How about taking a look back at some of the genres that influenced Math Rock to what we know it as today, other than Prog of course. Take Hardcore Punk and Post-Punk for example. What were some important albums in the evolution of Post/Math that had a proto-math sound and approach? Shellac would be one.