MYSTERY OF TWO
SELF TITLED // 2009, Exit Stencil
The first thing that jumps out at me from Mystery of Two’s second full length album is the fact that the songs have reached their full potential. This “new new wave” album wasn’t just thrown together in a weekend. Every break was timed correctly, every hook is crisp…the builds and falls are freaking perfect – dynamically sound exclamations on top of the great song writing skills of front man Ryan Wietzel. Seems like the boys really hunkered down in the studio over the winter (easy to do when you run one like Ryan does with Exit Stencil)…and came out with some really mature songs. However, the first thing that will probably jump out to a new listener, is the sound of the vocals – it’s kind of a love it or hate it deal breaker for a lot of people I’ve talked to, but if you were raised on the good stuff – like Television, Pere Ubu, and Talking Heads…then you’ll get along fine. The last combo song of – “Strange Town/Free Fall”, is a standout – that baby cooks a stew of agitated boredom into complacent acceptance for a good 8 minutes…keeping the edge of control tipping over the balance for most of the duration. One of the best bands in Cleveland these days – plus this release has trumpets playing on it..like spanish new new wave trumpets.
- Ian P.E.
