MEZZROW

New At Not Lame Review



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.