Author Archives: Jack Mesenbourg

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About Jack Mesenbourg

Jack Mesenbourg is a writer, musician, photographer, and artist from Minneapolis. He has spent his years hopping around the country, scribbling notes & scratching pictures in poorly organized journals along the way. Traveling with him have been his passions and distractions such as music, gardening, baseball, cooking and finding good local beer. Hopefully his projects provide you with some insight, provoke some thinking or at least give you a little amusement.

Song Review- SUNBENDR – “Stick Up”

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After getting a release note from Earshot Media on this one I had to check it out.  It mentioned that this band is powered by some notable names from the alternative / indie rock sector including Chris Cote (Kut U Up), Frank Dixon (Nancy, Sister Juanita), Brandon Parkhurst (Kut U Up, Yovee) and some helper vocals from George Perks (Mogwai, Doves).  All have put out some music in the past that I thought was pretty darn good.   

No disappointment on my expectations when I hit “play” as you get a powerful drum knock-around right away that is soon followed by a groovy and strong bass line.  Once the guitar fills out the sound everyone is in fine form by the half-minute mark.  They take the time to develop a nice foundation and then the vocals punch in at 1:03.  The vibe flips to a bit of a sing-a-long groove for a bit before powering back on and the vocals trade off nicely between Cote and Parkhurst.  I thought five minutes might be a little long when I started listening but it keeps your attention all the way through.  

Cool side note that this was produced and mixed by Perks at Tom DeLonge’s home studio 🙂 

Steaming in all your usual places – quick link here:

https://onerpm.link/StickUp

If you go out and give “Stick Up” a listen…think about purchasing it if you can as steaming music does not pay well even times a thousand. 

And support your locals – community is powerful! 

Song Review- TRUSS – “Concession Stand” from the album Fluorescence

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Before I get to my favorite track on this album I definitely want to shout out this DIY effort from these Cleveland rockers.   As mentioned by Eric Kennedy (guitar & bass) in their release info, “The entire project was DIY – written, recorded, produced, mixed, and mastered in our own homes.”  All efforts at self-sufficiency deserve to be applauded in my opinion and this one is a solid example of what can be done by dedicated musicians.  The production quality here is very good and the sonic atmosphere they deliver on these tracks really sets a great vibe for the entire album.  

In several places in the press release there is mention of nostalgia and I have to agree that the songs definitely brought me back a few decades.  TRUSS certainly have a handle on that tone and groove some bands of the mid-90’s / early 00’s were bringing to the table.  For me “Concession Stand” really hit that the best and I found myself clicking “repeat”…well, repeatedly.  

A soft guitar melody starts this off with just a little bass overlay giving way to a tight, rising drum and then dipping back down to mellow vibes with great sonic atmosphere.  The vocal parts on this that dart in and out of the drum line have a nice dreamy effect that kind of sticks with you.  

Available via your usual streaming places of course.  You can also check out the first single from the album (“Numb”) here:

If you go out and give “Concession Stand” a listen…think about purchasing it if you can as steaming music does not pay well even times a thousand. 

And support your locals – community is powerful! 

Song Review- Useless ID “Too Late To Start Over” from the album No Vacation From the World 

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When I heard that this classic (and great!) 2003 album from UID was being re-released I knew it was going to be a good day.  Note that you can get this gem on yellow vinyl & CD via Bandcamp (link below) or other outlets.  My first exposure to them came through their  association with the late great Tony Sly as he was involved in this album and I picked up on that from some article in some magazine I was reading at the time.   This is one of those “CD’s that got away” from me in my moving around and I had never gotten around to replacing it.  I believe on that original release the 15th track was un-credited on the song listing for the CD?…somebody correct me if I am off on that – here it is titled “Talk” but still has info I cannot compute as I do not speak the language.   

I originally was going to review “Same Story Someone New” for this post as it really gives me those SoCal punk / alt-rock vibes that I like so much.   In the end though I picked “Too Late To Start Over” as it really has some power and a notable composition.  This song delivers a nice punch right away off a loud drum intro and soaring guitar riffs.  It drives along at a good pace (with a vocal track slightly obscured by the instruments) until the 1:25 mark, when it ascends to a remarkable and different place that lasts the remainder of the song and has it all: squealing  guitars, booming drums, punchy bass line and an arrangement that manages to  be chaos and composed all at the same time.  I did not remember this track being so good…but it has been a long time.  

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page https://uselessid.bandcamp.com

Locals – we all need each other – community is powerful! 

And please think about purchasing this song after you listen – streaming music does not pay much even times a thousand…

Song Review- J.D.Short “You Been Cheating Me” from the album Blues from the Mississippi Delta

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It is always a good idea to regularly take a step back and review music from long ago.  That can be via albums like this one (which also features Son House) that have music I greatly enjoy or even those that may feature genres or artists that are not in your usual wheelhouse.  In some way, directly or indirectly, all of those old sounds influence our current artists.   This album, as described on the Bandcamp page where it is featured, is “an early endeavor at celebrating the Delta blues as a genre, history, and chronicle of Black experience in the American south.”  There are some fascinating songs (and other hidden info) among the 12 tracks that definitely make this a valuable collection.  

This track stuck with me for a few days after hearing it which made it an easy pick for my favorite on the album.   The recording opens on a warbling harmonica and some nice acoustic strings and has that stripped down, authentic sound throughout that puts you right there with the musicians (even though this was way back in 1963).  As with all original blues the authenticity and emotions here are real and right on the surface.  

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page https://sonhouseandjdshort.bandcamp.com/album/blues-from-the-mississippi-delta

You and your locals need each other so please support them – community is powerful! 

And please think about purchasing this song after you listen – streaming music does not pay much even times a thousand…

Song Review- Midnight Peg – “Thirstland” from the album Skinning

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This single is an early release from the upcoming album.  

So, before you push play on this just be aware – you are about to be blown away!  This experience kind of reminded me of the time I was chilling out at the bar, awaiting GBH to take the stage later, when Niice walked out and slammed into my mentality.  That was a damn good moment and this track has that same vibe and energy.  

A hot opening guitar riff here, a nice little 10 seconds of space and then the vocals from Mann (nicely supported at some points by call backs from Neilson) drop in to set a fiery tone for the remainder.   The fast pace set down by a deep bass line and thundering drums is nicely played against by guitars on high distortion.  Yes it is loud and in your face…and awesome!

This should be out there to check out on all of your usual streaming places.   

Remember to support your local bands – community is powerful! 

Release Alert! The Dreadnoughts – “Polka Pit”

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It was great to hear about this single release and to get the news at the same time that there will be  a new album out in September this year (on Punkerton Records).  The Dreadnoughts always bring the energy and usually makes me want to jump right back into the pit.  This song brings a bouncy beat and kicks along for 4 fun minutes…polka and punk always!

Once you check it on your usual places you can get a vinyl pre-order in here…grow the collection 🙂 

https://punkertonrecords.com/products/the-dreadnoughts-polka-pit-vinyl

Song Review- Burnt Tapes – “You Only YOLO Once” from the album New Lungs

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I just read a press release about this second single coming out from the Burnt Tapes upcoming album and knew I had to jump on and take a listen.  The first time I ever heard this band was back around 2020 on the song “Drift Champ ’16” off Never Better.   That track has made its rounds through several of my playlists over the years not just for the music but for some poignant lyrics…”Load a car with cardboard boxes, They’re all empty anyway,” being one among many.  

This new single has a nice drum & bass boomer start with a few bars of simple guitar melody before it gets a little rowdy.  A strong and angry vocal performance drives this one all the way through (and with a bit of an unusual throwback reference to “Drift Champ ’16” as both lyrics reference broken teeth…random I know).  There is a nice down-stepped bridge in there also – it provides a nice transition to the last part of this track.  

This is a powerful release from a seasoned and vibrant band – worth a listen for sure!   Steaming in all your usual places and you can also check it out here:

Keep an eye out for this full album to be released on Wiretap Records / Lockjaw Records and Nasty Cut Records.  

Keep your locals in mind for some support also – community is powerful!  

Song Review- Two Harbors “What You’re On About” from the album Can’t Shake This Dream

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This album dropped on May 9th but it took me a little bit to get around to listening to the full set.  Two Harbors has been a force in the Twin Cities music scene going back quite a ways.  They worked with Ed Ackerson for multiple albums on Susstone and this album is dedicated to his memory and legacy.  

This one has a bit of a sonic vibe right from the start, with a swinging rhythm  and some atmosphere on the guitars.   It manages to be mellow and loud at the same time with nice guitar bridges and a quite prominent tight snare chopping along all the way through.  The abrupt ending is perfect.  

Overall, this album is very consistent and does not have a bad track on it.  Two Harbors also have a nice back catalog if you feel like checking it out – two recommendations would be their 2009 release All The Places We Would Rather Be and The Natural Order of Things from 2014.

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page https://twoharbors.bandcamp.com/

Community is powerful – you know this 🙂 

And please think about purchasing this song after you listen – streaming music does not pay much even times a thousand…

Song Review- Sledges – “Fading”

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You know, sometimes when I hear a band tagged as “shoe gaze” I wonder what I am going to get as that genre tends to span a rather wide range these days.  After reading through the press release from Earshot Media on this one I checked it out and was impressed.  

There is a dreamy start to this song which lasts about twenty seconds before punching up to nice guitars and drums with volume and attitude accompanied by strong vocals.  The arrangement on this one sets an interesting pace, alternating fast / loud with slow / subdued that gives it a unique tone.  You would be hard pressed to pigeonhole this track into a genre and that is a good thing.  

Sledges have an EP coming in June also (unnamed as far as I know) that will include this single.  I am  looking forward to listening to that and seeing if they maintain this creative mix across those other tracks.  

Video here to review if you wish 🙂 

As always – just a reminder to support your locals – community is powerful! 

Song Review- Fan Club “Ain’t No Saint” from the album Ain’t No Saint

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So, I had never heard of this group (including in their former LYSOL incarnation) until this EP showed up in my Bandcamp feed.   I checked it out and was impressed with the energy and edge present in every track.  There is a raw and boisterous vibe running throughout that gets you kicking for sure.  

The title track also leads off the EP and crashes in drums first and then guitars which stays present throughout most of the song with a few low key drop-outs along the way.  The vocals are strong but a little under the music – it actually works well though.  A crisp 1:34 for this track is all it needs to get it done.  

I found this entire album to be one of those that you cue up in the “energy and mayhem” playlist…you know…the one you like to play really loud with the vehicle windows rolled down!   You can get their 2015 Demo release (as LYSOL) on Bandcamp also – there is plenty of chaos going on there to enjoy.  

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page https://officialfanclubfanclub.bandcamp.com/

Remember to support your local people – community is powerful! 

And please think about purchasing this song after you listen – streaming music does not pay much even times a thousand…