Mercurine Music Is Chemical
- Review
by Jacob Bogedahl
I'll begin this review by just saying that it has been well
worth the wait for this debut album. They've had a few
teaser tracks up on mp3.com for a while, and so I was dying
to hear the rest of the album. Needless to say I've been
very pleased that they've stuck with the style in these introductory
tracks.
The catchy mix of guitars, electronics and ethereal female vocals
are present from the very start in the moving opening track
"Walking West". The guitars and excellent bassline
ebb and flow while layered synths add extra body and texture
to the music while Mera's layered vocals flow throughout.
The bass, synths and vocals all kick in for an excellent intro
to the catchy track "ShakyShakee Bells". Set
the shoegazer guitars aside and this track along with a few
others is what really reminds me of Book of Love. Even
the silly title is fitting. Of course the real track that
really takes you back to the popular days of 80's New Wave music
is "Nu Wave Fairy" with the little of light punk/wave
sounds that were so fun back in the day. They bring this
style alive with a fresh sound and feeling in this track for
everyone to enjoy.
Of course for those that are more into the darker, moodier gothic/shoegazer/ethereal
sounds, there is plenty more here. Tracks like the dark
and melancholic track "Gone Too Far" is perfect for
these fans. Beginning slow and building up with light
synths, bass and of course building to a climax with excellent
guitars and soaring vocals. "Will Morning Come"
is one of the best tracks that is really catchy on this album.
It quickly became my favorite teaser tracks and so have really
enjoyed listening to it over and over again long before the
album came out. Now that I have an entire album of great
material to choose from though, It's hard to really choose a
favorite.
If you really want to get into the ethereal moods, "Drifting"
and "Pact" are the songs that will really take you
a way on that dreamy voyage fans will love. "Drifting"
is such a fitting title, because I think it fits the style,
lyrics and music to perfection.
And finally, if you like some experimental or a little more
noise in your music, there are some pieces here for everyone.
"Bridgeburner" is the edgiest track with harsher elements
in it. Experimental is the way I would describe several
of the tracks at the end. They almost appear as "space
filler" for the CD, but good enough and interesting enough
to be enjoyable to listen to the entire album, including the
hidden track at the end.
Overall a great album, and excellent for a debut. I hope
this means there is more to come in the future of at least this
quality or better!
Rating: 4.5/5
— Jacob Bogedahl |
