Band: Mezzrow Album: Mezzrow First Impression: Pop Rock for post-teens Album in One Word: Undeniable Sounds Like: Alt. Country infused Pop Makes Me Feel: Like moving and shaking Why this Band is Unique: Even as they pursue the stereotypical teen dream of being in a band, Mezzrow also maintains a very mature feeling, often seen playing with their elders, Smash Palace. Who Would Like This Album: From Kings of Leon fans to fans of the Stones’ “Beggars Banquet” Recommended Song: Showed Me The Ropes During any given Mezzrow performance, which is seemingly few and far between for me these days, the band lets their influences at the moment be known without hesitation. Though I myself have not seen the band since September ’05, even then their cover of Jumping Jack Flash gave some sort of idea of how they were feeling at the time. Though things must not have changed very much for them as this wasn’t deviating far from the poppy Kinks covers the band was featuring in late ’04 and early ’05 sets. Together, all of these influences are reflected in the bands ten song self-titled debut. The album starts out with the track Red and Blue, which the lyrics would suggest as being almost haunting, but upon listening is found to be as poppy as the band ever was. Pictures, the CD’s second song, is easily just as upbeat and catchy as Red and Blue, but the album is still yet to peak. As far as Tear goes, it is without doubt as melancholy as the disc gets, with the title being taking from the line, “I wanna tear my heart out,” though this sentiment is doubtful as the song in no way reflects such doleful lines. Still though, it is slowed down from the first two tracks, but also continues with the intricate guitar work already displayed in the album. From here, Embassy Stairs must immediately be a fast paced listener friendly song. It is a good song, comparable to Blue and Red in some ways, but it’s tough when the next song is Showed Me the Ropes. This song isn’t meant to be catchy or fast, but even the harmonica manages to exacerbate everything about the song in an almost Dylan way, though by no means would I commit such blasphemy and make that comparison. It is more a calm song than a sad song, as is reflected in the lyrics that are by no stretch of the imagination as heartwrenching or revealing as those in earlier tracks. While all the parts come together, they just makes sense as one whole song and it is by far the easiest song to sing along to. Quit Me tries to follow suit, but it brings back everything that Showed Me the Ropes stripped all the previous tracks of and feels almost impersonal. Another Perfect Day, Got Me All Wrong and Too Many Situations are all just as pleasant to listen to as the rest, but not much can be said for them that hasn’t been seen earlier in the album. Waiting Patiently, however, is the Sweet Child O’ Mine to Mezzrow’s Appetite for Destruction. It is leisurely and sweet, but despite the emotion that one would expect an engaging, slow track to elicit, it remains more of a praise than a damnation and is just a nice note to end on. All in all, a wonderful debut. It leaves absolutely nothing to be complained about, though without Showed Me the Ropes and Waiting Patiently, the consistently great sounds run the risk of becoming monotonous. However, the entire album is a new spin on old music and to be able to keep years upon years of writing fresh and new is praiseworthy all on its own. (Emily Getzinger) http://www.mezzrowmusic.com