The Beatles, Kinks, Neil Young, Big Star, The Beach Boys, Oasis, Radiohead, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Pixies, SDRE, The Flaming Lips, Nick Drake, Bob Dylan, Wilco, GBV, The Replacements...many more.
D of the Day 2/24/06: Mezzrow
MezzRow is a South Jersey band that sounds more like Liverpool meets Nashville than Asbury Park, and their eponymous debut album is a treat. Coming up with some analogues for this band is a bit tough since they do an expert job of melding all their influences; "Brit pop meets Americana" as it says on their CD Baby page, and I hear a bit of everything from Steve Earle at one end of the spectrum to The Verve on the other end. Maybe I can best explain their sound in the context of Marah, who hails from the same general area: it's kind of like the songs from Float Away With The Friday Night Gods with the production values of Kids In Philly, minus the Springsteen worship.
The album starts off with a bang; the first three tracks "Blue & Red", "Pictures" and "Tear" are an impressive an introduction as any, and "Embassy Stairs" is where the Marah comparison really hits home. You can stream the first three, along with "Got Me All Wrong", at their myspace page. No mp3s I could find, so CD Baby is your best bet for the remaining samples and purchasing. These guys are only in their early 20s, and with a promising debut like this already on record, it'll be interesting to see where they go from here.
Mezzrow - Album Review
INK 19
Mezzrow breathes life into a stagnant Americana scene with buoyant vocal hooks, breezy guitars, and two-fisted drums. This charming, infectiously energetic young band take the Byrds' trademark jangle into British rock territory, a combination of geographic styles that hook the listener in from the first second and mercilessly refuses to stop being catchy.
I warn you now: Mezzrow doesn't just write songs. Rather, they're drugs. You will be addicted. This is a group that knows how to craft the perfect pop, from the British Invasion-meets-country melodies of "Blue & Red" to the Eric Clapton-ish bluesy licks of "Too Many Situations." The band - consisting of vocalist/guitarist Anthony Bezich, guitarist Fran Tagmire, bassist Mike Schraeger, and drummer Erik Sooy - have intoxicating chemistry. Witness the dueling riffs on "Tear" and how they're propelled even further by the pounding percussion.
Mezzrow is what the Posies should've been but never were. From top to bottom, the material here is so strong that a major-label bidding war should be just around the corner. Seriously. Even when Mezzrow slows the tempo on "Showed Me the Ropes," the toe-tapping never stops.
-Kyrby Raine
Whisperin & Hoolerin.com - Mezzrow debut CD album review
Jesus, what a refreshing album this is! Never in a million years would I imagine hearing an Americana record with blatant Britpop tendencies. If Oasis had decided to record a country record, the resulting LP wouldn't be far removed from this.
Ah, but do not let the "country" tag turn you off. Mezzrow (http://www.mezzrowmusic.com) are more along the lines of alternative roots acts such as Wilco and the late, lamented Uncle Tupelo. In other words, it's old-school country fed through a post-punk perspective. The opening number, "Blue & Red," is winsome jangle rock; don't be surprised to be playing air guitar to those driving riffs.
Mezzrow is clearly infatuated with the guitar. All throughout the record they are either chiming, ringing, rocking, and jamming. What one of the things that I despise about emo is how they torture their guitars. Mezzrow use them like they should, weaving shimmering, hypnotic webs of jangling ecstasy. Good Lord I got drunk from these lads riff sex, especially on "Pictures," "Tear," and "Another Perfect Day." Bliss, I tell you!
As far as Americana music goes, Mezzrow mix different flavors in their sound, mainly European ones. For example, "Tear" has New Wave bass lines that wouldn't be out of place on a New Order 12". And there are similarities to U.S. modern rock, too, such as the Foo Fighters-ish "Quit Me."
But enough already! Get off your bum and purchase this magnificent beast immediately!
http://www.whisperinandhollerin.com/reviews/review.asp?id=3599
Great songs, great hooks, great band!
Reviewer: Rocking Worldly (CDBABY.COM)
You should buy this album. From the Beatles to Neil Young, the influences are numerous but the craft is still strong. Mezzrow combines all of those things you love about music. The edgy guitar riffs combined with the melodic harmonies make Mezzrow a must have.
Hey gents...new song sounds fab... reminds me a bit of "the Church" in a cool way. Good luck with the new Cd. cheers .. ps. did I see Anthony out on the town driving in a Mini Cooper Clubman???
Seven Wiser
April, 19 2008 at The blue room
201 Secaucus Road, Secaucus, New Jersey
Join us on our NEW JERSEY street team page over at
http://www.myspace.com/sevenwisernjteam
help us get the word out about the band.
GET FREE STUFF when the band starts promotion in the next few months.
Tee shirts, CD's and more for you and to give to friends. Just join the NEW JERSEY page, and point your friend over as well, and we will all keep in touch.
HELP make it all happen
-SEVEN WISER
www.sevenwiser.com
Studio LuLoo digs Mezzrow. Why not warm up for the Auction House show by stopping at our Open Mic Tonight. Open Mic Night is TONIGHT and every Tuesday. Sign-ups at 7:30pm, music til ? Bring your good vibes, your guitar, your hand drums, your keyboard, and BYOB, too! Recommended $5 donation (so we can keep the lights on) Tonight’s Open Mic featured artist is Johnny Miles. Check out Johnny tonight at Studio LuLoo, and pick up his new CD “Sign of the Times”. (Click pic below to visit his MySpace page ..
Come out this week to Studio LuLoo’s Tuesday open mic, Jan. 15 @ 7:30 p.m.
- Featured artist is Smash Palace.
We will have tickets on sale for Smash Palace’s CD release concert. See Sara O’Brien open for Smash Palace on Sunday Jan. 20th @7:30 at the Ritz Theatre in Oaklyn.
LITTLE STEVEN VAN ZANDT (of The Sopranos and Springsteen fame) and THE UNDERGROUND GARAGE say: "THE MOCKERS have one of the COOLEST SONGS IN THE WORLD!" Get the CD now!
Hola Mezzrow! Thought I'd take advantage of our friendship to let you know that we'll be playing a couple of shows in your proverbial back yard this weekend:
8/24 - Manhattan Mo Pitkin's House of Satisfaction Midnight - $5 - All Ages
8/25 - Brooklyn Goodbye Blue Monday 830pm - $Free - All Ages
