Meneguar - I Was Born at Night (Reissue)

I Was Born at Night, unfortunately, is not a new Meneguar record—it’s a reissue, which is nevertheless a cause celebre, at least in this case. The initial release (and debut) from the Brooklyn quartet was originally released via Magic Bullet Records; this time it’s out on Troubleman Unlimited. But oh, these boring facts have no bearing on the what the record has in store… I’ll honestly say that I Was Born at Night is a rare album in that it doesn’t wear out its welcome. To me, it sounds like the result of listening to a plethora of Canada’s current hip crop as much as old Dischord albums and ‘90s emo records—and in only seven tracks, Meneguar have crafted a document for all future DIYers to note when embarking on their own adventures. It’s brief but powerful. You can sing along to the entire record. It’s smartly written, but isn’t self-indulgently technical. And, it’s one of those records that’s difficult to transcribe into words without screwing it up. The record shuns arty pretensions for a melodic execution that steps over rough edges for pop leanings immersed in emotion, energy, and sincerity. The songs form a cohesive record, and while its versatility isn’t unlimited, the connection between performer and listener (which doesn’t easily translate into words) is the most notable aspect. It’s impassioned, honest rock suited for basement shows but destined for something much larger. [www.troublemanunlimited.com]