Hey Mercedes - Loses Control
Reviewed by peerless
The best part about Loses Control is that this is an accomplishment in a genre that’s become sickeningly tasteless in the last few years. That mainstream jinx, the copycat, one-trick ponies and other overcompressed-overdigitized-talentless bands nervously gripping that “bandwagon of the week” riding it into the ground, makes it very hard for new bands to sidestep such a ‘trendy’ facade. Hey Mercedes’ Loses Control draws on the post-punk influence of Jimmy Eat World and Saves The Day, but doesn’t ever cross over into that awfully rigid “Modern Hits” radio-station-gimmick territory. They come, thankfully, without the added baggage of contemporary rock clichés, contrived lyrics, or single-serving producers. In general, Hey Mercedes is a feel-good band. They’re all about upbeat sing-alongs, catchy melodies, and playful rock without a hint of Pop-artificiality or Emo-whining. While the sub-par production (ugg) makes the songs sound a little too similar (once the third song rolls around you’re acquainted with the majority of the album), it is my one and only complaint. The overall arrangement is solid and the enthusiastic quality is quite enjoyable. [www.heymercedes.com]