Mercury's performs its music in a gritty style that is
modeled after the best of 1990s Seattle. In fact the opening notes of "Mellow
Song" are almost lifted straight from Nirvana, leaving no doubt about the source
of the band's inspiration. It is a straightforward, linear, non-progressive
sound that is emulated by garage bands across America, but the production, the
performances and packaging elevate Mercury out of the garage band status, and
into the ranks of talented indies waiting for their break.
As the title suggests Just The Beginning is a 20 minute demo EP - and
it really represents the very beginning because Mercury comprises four
Maryland artists aged between just 14 and 18. The singer, who is trained in
violin and guitar but doesn't employ those skills here, has a rich timbre and a
strong, granular tone. Pitch control needs attention but it's an
expressive delivery that will catch your attention. Lucky - because almost the
whole album is very vocals-oriented. The guitar work is clean, then in sections
it features deep distortion punctuated by the odd wail of a pinched
string, then often goes abruptly back to clean, bass-strings.
"Breathe" features subtle tempo shifts between verse & chorus, and the
frantic tapped out lead guitar solo in "2 Seconds" shows a raw talent that will
be ready for prime time with a little more refinement. Opener "Waste" starts
with a simple bass string motif, then enter the vocals and we have Cameron
channeling a younger incarnation of Cobain. In fact 5 of the 6 songs start with
a simple line played on the lead guitar's bass strings - or on the bass - and
therein lies the challenge Mercury will want to address in their next release: There's no questioning their talent - now they need to reach beyond the safe
formula on Just The Beginning, stretch their songwriting
capabilities, and throw a bit more imagination into the mix.
But they're young, and this is just the beginning. It's going to be a
blast watching these guys bloom into a full-featured grungy / hard-rock /
hopefully progressive outfit that just may step on a few well-placed toes.
Track Listing:
- Waste (4:15)
- Breathe (3:10)
- Changed (2:12)
- The Mellow Song (3:18)
- 2 Seconds (3:42)
- Find A Way (3:32)
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