On Reset, (an EP issued in advance of their upcoming 2005 debut album), the oddly eclectic rock band Mute Math has churned out a collection of songs vaguely reminiscent of classic U2 or the Police but layered with lush modern rhythms and electronic techniques. It's experimental rock with a backbeat of faith that has drawn a fair measure of interest even though their release of the full album is still a few months away. After all, frontman and keyboardist Paul Meany and drummer Darren King were both veterans of the band Earthsuit that flamed out after one album (2000's critically acclaimed Kaleidoscope Superior), and fans of their innovative fusion of rock, reggae, jazz and electronica were undoubtedly looking for more.

This seven song EP (about 30 minutes of music) provides an intriguing sampler of what Mute Math has to offer. From the straight-ahead guitar-based rock of "Control" and the reggae-infused "Peculiar People" to the urgent drums of "Plan B," this is a wonderfully varied record that nonetheless manages to weave almost seamlessly together. The sound is lush and evocative, with layers of delicate melodies and thoughtful, catchy lyrics.

"Control" is the album's signature track, and it is described as a "cry for freedom" from - you guessed it - being a control freak and "over-thinking." As Paul Meany describes it, "This is my 4 minute sprint to get as far away as I can from everything that compels me to maintain control. My very nature wants me to play life as though it's a chess match against circumstances. Always thinking 20 moves ahead can be exhausting. This song was written nothing short of an urgent prayer to find rest."

The album embraces sampling and there are certainly a lot of rhythmic technological beats displayed throughout the various songs - for example, "Reset" spotlights some manipulated drum takes and other songs organically blend samples of the group's own performances with the current track. Sometimes technology can be excessive and drain the life from an album, turning it into some sort of techno echo chamber; here, however, Mute Math manages to present an album that has a wonderfully diverse and independent sound, all tied to real, heartfelt songs and dynamic performances.