Home > Magazine > Content
Reviews: Jonathan Meek & The Mutes ~ Irony & Pity
Posted on Sunday, September 07, 2008 @ 15:45:33 PDT
Topic: Reviews
|
Artist: Jonathan Meek & The Mutes
CD: Irony & Pity
Home: Livermore, California
Style: Rock
Quote: "There's something new being created here."
By Travis Dow
Jonathan Meek & the Mutes kick off Irony & Pity with a dark edge that doesn’t let go until the end of the final track on this 5-song EP. Meek did most of the work himself on this (thus the "Mutes") but had able co-producing help from fellow ex-Fair Saint Mike Mittelstedt. These guys understand what works for these songs, and hit it out of the park on every track. Influences include Elvis Costello and Nick Cave, but Irony & Pity is not easily classifiable. There’s something new being created here. Something yearning to be let out of its cage. The music’s power comes from the fact that this yearning is kept bottled up for the most part.
The first track, "The City I Love," features a gothic tone and a melody that hits you like a children’s schoolyard taunt. At first, "Spark & No Fire" seems to have no relation, but it’s soon evident that the mood has been set and is going to shadow the listener all the way through. "From The West" moves smoothly from an electric to an acoustic feel, with harmonies reminiscent of, dare I say, Simon and Garfunkel? I dare, and it works.
My favorite track closes the show, as "Take A Look" is at once the poppiest and angriest song here. Again we hear the child’s taunting verses, but this time there’s a response. Some of that stymied youthful and dark energy finally gets released, and yet you’re still left with that feeling of unrequited yearning. One can only wonder what this band can do when the Mutes are also allowed to speak.
Artist Website: http://www.jonathanmeek.com
|
|
| |
| Article Rating | Average Score: 0
Votes: 0
|
|
|
Indie-Music
Profile
