A Derogatory Term

The opening track “Hideaway” with its sirens and big distorted bass could deceive you electro heads into thinking that this album is going to be very different to what it actually is. This is an absolutely massive track and I would not be surprised if it sees commercial success.

The next track on the album “Young Love (Featuring Laura Marling)” sets the tone for the rest of the album and the “Mystery Jet’s” style – soft pop rock with section after section of catchy lyrics and melodies. I do not know who “Laura Marling” is but she has probably the most beautiful voice I have ever heard in a rock song. The Mystery Jets lyrical writing style is one of story telling similar to such bands as “The Wombats” and “Maximo Park”. “Young Love” is about the reflection of a one night stand with some one who you will never see again because of unforseen circumstances – from both the guys and girls point of view. Just like “The Wombats” it also sounds like there are at least three of them in the band who can sing creating great vocal harmonies.

“Half In Love With Elizabeth” starts off with the catchy chorus lyrics used as an intro into a funky verse which has traces of 80’s synth pop. I am currently listening to all these songs as I write this and I just keep noticing more and more brilliance within the production. I hope Erol sticks to cool bands like “The Mystery Jets”, “The Long Blondes” and “Late Of The Pier” and does not turn his magical abilities into producing a “Madonna” or “Kylie” Record.

“Veiled In Grey” is a more scenic sadder song about reflecting with a friend/girlfriend about the past. I am still yet to put meaning to the chorus lyrics of “I’ll bet you wouldn’t believe me, If I whispered in your ears and said I can see a pink elephant, And it’s standing on the corner of the bed”. They sound very cool regardless especially when sung in conclusion with further emotion and meaning showcasing the amazing voice of lead man “Blaine Harrison”.

I am starting to feel a little bad posting so many of the tracks off their album but it has been too hard not to. You will have to download them all now just incase the record company comes after me requesting them to be taken down (Please contact me if you would like me to remove them). “Hand Me Down” is another track with a sad tone and theme to it which is effortlessly amplified by Blaine’s voice. The track is about a girl looking for love in the wrong places and I love the backing vocals on this track used to ask a question “Do You Love Him?”, reminds me a little of the style and tone of Bloc Party’s backing vocals.

The next album I would like to talk about is the new one from “Death Cab for Cutie”. I have not had much time to listen to a lot of this one except for 1 of the tracks which I believe is absolutely perfect. “I Will Possess Your Heart” with its 4 and a Half minute bass, effects and soft guitar intro. I believe that a lot of impatient people will find this intro way too long but I have so much respect for “Death Cab” for putting this on their album. There is of course a radio edit which is much shorter but really in my belief only catches half of the song and half of its greatness. The intro builds just so flawlessly into anticipation for the vocals that come in and changes every thing – the track then begins again creating an astonishing pop masterpiece. I think I have a thing for long songs which has been built into me from listening to a lot of “Pink Floyd” and “LCD Soundsystem”.

So Far I have enjoyed the rest of the album but I have not given it as much time as needed. A couple of the other stand out tracks so far have been “Bixby Canyon Bridge” and “Long Division”. I just recently found out that they are touring Australia and coming to the Tivoli! Unfortunately when I found this out the tickets had already sold out – so that sucks.