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- Ben Basile – “Mountain Road” from the album Benergy

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From the good people at Sleep Walk Sounds (an imprint of Wiretap Records) we get this new release which just dropped in the last week and definitely lives up to the positive reviews that are already out there.   One quick side note as this album claims to (and achieves) a nice blend of ska, reggae and rocksteady:  If you ever want to get into a fascinating discussion with some of your music loving friends, start talking about the differences, similarities, foundations, etc of these three genres.  This also makes a great research and learning project for yourself, a journey I went on several years ago and am still chasing around.  Since I find myself more of a ska fan I started with Ska: An Oral History by Heather Augustyn but there is a lot of other info out there about all of these styles of music.  End of random learning suggestion….onto “Mountain Road” which ended up being the track I liked the best on Benergy.

This song has good vibes and happiness running through it and just gets you in a positive frame of mind…it is going to all be good.   The bass line here is definitely on the reggae side of things but there is a nice blending in of tempo on keys that takes it in other directions.  It swings and booms along nicely throughout and then fades off into the sunset. 

For a totally different experience (and I mean that in a good way) also check out “Hot Drop” off this album.  It may soon replace “Mountain Road” as my fav.  

You can pick up the vinyl here:

https://sleepwalksounds.limitedrun.com/

Also available on your streaming platforms…and please think about purchasing it if you can as steaming music does not pay well even times a thousand. 

Take time to be a good neighbor…community is powerful!

Song Review- Nick Leet “Edge of Town” from the album Detours

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Ok, so I know that I mentioned High on Stress in my last review (of the Gentlemen Rogues single “Half Empty, Half Fool) but I swear this follow-up on the HOS front man’s release is a coincidence.  

This song of course has a bit of the HOS vibe with Leet on the vocals but it has its own personality.  There is a slow, melodic pacing right from the start with a nice clear acoustic guitar guiding the way.  Andrew Hyda (of Billy Pilgrim and Smokin’ Novas among other projects) lends some nice ebow magic along the way.   Overall, a nice, straight-forward track that makes for good listening. 

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

As always, give some support to your locals as they need you and 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- Gentlemen Rogues – “Half Empty, Half Fool”

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Let’s first go back in time in regard to these gentlemen.  They had an album back in 2013 with a big owl on the front…I went back and checked and this release is cleverly called “Gentlemen Rogues.”  On one of many late night listening sessions back then I somehow came across that album.  I do not quite remember how or where but it happened.  The first song from that eponymous offering is the one I still remember to this day.  “Run from the Light” has two things that made it memorable.  First, a part of the lyrics reference a voice being like an EVP.  I had no idea what that was when I heard it so…learning experience.  Secondly, there is this very long intro, I swear it goes on for a minute at least, way past the point where you start thinking, “Ok, an instrumental track to lead-off is odd and weird.”  Of course, weird things make me happy so that all turned out well (and it is not an entire instrumental track- it just has a long and wonderful intro).  I am going back to listen to that entire EP as soon as I can.  

Back to this new new single…Note that this song also appears on their 2024 album Surface Noises.

It starts with a great bass and drum front with a melody line playing in the background.  This cycles for about 30 seconds before the vocals kick in.  It stays pretty rhythm forward throughout but there are some nice guitar riffs along the way.  Great line of this one for me, “I can’t carry on borrowing trouble, I’m too deep in debt to be devil-may-care.”   A solid alt-rocker here played right in the usual groove of the GR’s.  

There is a nice B-side also – a cover of “Children of the Revolution” (T.Rex) – definitely worth a listen.

Random thought for anyone listening in the booking world…someone has to get these guys on a bill with High on Stress…because that would be an awesome show.   As it is, The Gentlemen Rogues are coming to one of the best places in Minneapolis (Cloudland) and I have got to try to get myself there.  

If you go out and give “Half Empty, Half Fool” 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- Spark of Life – “Better Keep It To Yourself” from the album: Plagued By The Human Condition

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So, I have to admit that when I received the news from Earshot Media that this group was set to release a new album (Plagued By The Human Condition)…well, I had lost track of them a long time ago.  I think the last time anything by them had been played by me it must have been way back in my Michigan residency era.  As it turns out, they had in fact dropped out a bit and only truly reformed a few years ago.  That is great news for me!

This song is short and to the point clocking in at 2:33 for time and opens up with a nice fuzzy melody line before filling out with drums forward.  It can lull you a little bit into a “swaying with the beat groove”…and then comes an awesome vocal scream right after the one minute mark (and another right after two minutes).   Overall, this is a thumping, punk-edged song with a bit of attitude thrown in.  

This single should be out there for you to listen to now (and consider purchasing :).  The album is set to drop May 30th from New Age records.  You can get a pre-order in here along with some gear if you are so inclined:

Spark of Life

Quite the quirky video also available if you want to do a quick check:  

Take a bit of time to support your locals (& to be kind to your neighbors:) – community is powerful! 

Album Alert!

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I just read an exciting press release from Earshot Media and thought I should jump on here and help get the word out.

“Hermosa Beach, CA — On April 1, 1995, an unforgettable celebration of surf music history took place at the iconic Lighthouse Café in Hermosa Beach. Now, for the first time, this remarkable event will be available on vinyl, CD and digital, for fans around the world to experience. Legends of Surf Guitar captures a pivotal moment when original surf pioneers and revivalists joined forces to celebrate the music that defined a generation.”

What can I say – I was hooked on that initial bit of info alone and headed over to put in my pre-order. There is a lot of good surf rock out there of course and if you happen to not already be tracking on that genre this would be a good intro point for sure. Having listened to music from the bands and musicians involved in this project I know these songs are going to deliver that great surfin’ guitar sound and tone – can’t wait to listen to it all!

One more bit from that press release:

“John Blair (Legends of Surf Guitar co-producer, surf music historian, and author of The Illustrated Discography of Surf Music, 1961–1965) — says, “This recording captures a rare moment when the pioneers and the new generation of surf musicians came together under one roof — a celebration of the music’s past, present, and future, all at a legendary venue just steps from the ocean.”

Props to Oglio Records for getting this historic session set to release to the world 🙂

You can get a pre-order of your own put in via these links:

Pre-order the 2xLP vinyl (ships first week of July) here: https://shop.bandwear.com/collections/oglio-records-shop/products/ogl047

Pre-order the CD (ships first week of July) here: 

Legends of Surf Guitar CD (PRESALE 07/04/25)

Album Review- WYLDLIFE – sorted

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Finally after five years I get the great news that this band has a new album dropping on May 16th from Wicked Cool Records.  It has been a long time coming but given the results I would wait again!  I have been a fan of this crew going back many years and while I have liked some releases more than others you can put this one right near the top.  WYLDLIFE have long been a bit bratty and irreverent but they know how to sell it with catchy hooks and an in your face style that gets you up and jumping.  

The album leads off with “Bystander” and gets right down to business.  This track has an absolutely hammering kick drum driving it all the way through and is complemented nicely by fast and ripping guitar work.  

Another highlight for me is “Little Headcase” which is a song of a different tone and style and notable for a couple reasons.  The composition and arrangement really deliver a sense of space within the music; a touch of nostalgia and dreaminess while still being backed by powerful vocals and rhythm.  There is also a terrific guitar solo starting at about 1:55 that takes this track to the next level.  

Ten total slots on this album and they are all solid – a couple other favs are “Terminal Blue,” “Goes Without Saying” (great bass work on this one) and “Dizzy.”  I know this album took awhile to get together and it offers a variety of styles and sounds that is reflected in front man David Feldman’s quote; “It’s like dumping out a big box of puzzle pieces.  It’s all over the place – and so are we.  But now, it’s sorted.” I would suggest that this puzzle box is well worth a listen and a purchase.  WYLDLIFE (Feldman along with Sam Allen, Spencer Alexander and Russ Barrnett) have the rock n’ roll thing down pat.  You can pre-order it here:

https://orcd.co/wyldlifesorted

Please support all of your local businesses, artists, musicians and neighbors – community is powerful! 

And when it comes to music, listen to all kinds and think about purchasing whenever you can – steaming music does not pay much even times a thousand.  

Song Review- The Manic Standstill – “Bulletproof”

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Thanks to the good people at Earshot Media who sent a press release and introduced me to this band…always good to find new sounds out here in the listening-verse.  This group features the talents of Adam Bones, Eddy Hewitt and Brad Dickert, aided on this song by Aixa Vilar and Michelle Rangel (both from Go Betty Go) who really fit together nicely and this track is a testament to that fact.  

“Bulletproof” has driving rhythm right from the start and a nice in-the-front bass overlay that gives this track great depth.  Backed up by the guitar work of Bones and lyrics written by his wife Megan (with a backstory that bears reading about if you get a chance) you can put this one in regular rotation for sure.  

There is a colorful video you can check out here: 

As far as I know this track is just on steaming right now but watch for the upcoming album from this band as an item to purchase.    It is set for release later this year and features a quality list of guest musicians including Packy Lundholm (I Fight Dragons), Ian Fowles (The Aquabats), Kody Templeman (Teenage Bottle Rocket, The Lillingtons) and many more 🙂 

Please remember to support your locals – they need you and much as you need them – and community is powerful 🙂 

Song Review- Walt Hamburger – “Insolence”

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I saw the press release for this song and instantly realized that any music advertised as “A gritty, heartfelt, and infectious punk jam that will resonate with fans of Joey Cape, Jon Snodgrass, Frank Turner, Bryan Walstrom and Tim Barry,” …well, these people are talking my language!  The supporting cast on this is awesome and includes Snodgrass, Neil Hennessy, Asher Simon and Mikey Erg.  And that equals Boom!

This track is right in the wheelhouse of a great bar jam with a rat-a-tat opening, punchy rhythms and a little fuzz on the front end.  To no one’s surprise this group plays tight & strong all the way through and the production here is nicely balanced.  

A big release to be on standby for is the coming album from Hamburger (…And Louie!) which is currently slated for June 20th.   You can pre-order that (CD & vinyl) here:

Walt Hamburger – …And Louie!

As always…support those locals – community is powerful!  

Song Review- The Ataris – “Car Song”

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Note that the album art here is only a mock-up and may differ when released.   

Today I was fortunate enough to get an advance listen to this upcoming song  (via Earshot Media) from The Ataris…and Wow!  This group has lost nothing over the years and continues to write songs that keep the edge even as they all have developed as musicians.  The “old school” members here (Kristopher Roe and Mike Davenport) are well supported on this track.  

From a musical standpoint this is a solid alt-rocker with a familiar Ataris guitar tone, good production levels and a backing rhythm that provides some boom to the music.  The real moment though is the lyrics and the story they are reflecting.  There is a very heartfelt dedication from Roe to his Dad on this song that I hope you get a chance to read.  It is not my story to tell but you should check it out as it really adds to the experience.  

This is a great release from Double Helix Records who have also teamed up with the non-profit Shatterproof that provides addiction recovery services.  As their Chief Marketing Officer has stated: “Shatterproof is a national nonprofit on a mission to reverse the addiction crisis by transforming treatment, ending stigma, and empowering and engaging communities but we can’t do it alone.”  See shatterproof.org for more information.  

There is also a interesting vinyl opportunity here via the folks at Hellbender Vinyl.  You can find ordering info here: 

Double Helix Records

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page 

https://theataris.bandcamp.com/music

Remember to support your locals – community is powerful 🙂 

Song Review- The Last Mile – “Anything”

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I had the good fortune to receive a preview of this single from the great Earshot Media and was not disappointed when I hit play.  The press notes for this also state that TLM worked with Jesse Gander during the recording.  If you know Japandroids, well Gander worked with them also and those albums are excellent.  

This track has one of those faraway melodic intros that give you a sense of calm for a few seconds, then the drum starts in and builds to the opening lyrical boom.  Despite its generally heavy tone this song is hopeful (“you can be anything you want, just don’t believe the lies you’re told”)…kind of a rebellious challenge against the negativity the world may be pouring down on us all.  A well composed and good listen all around.

Note that they do have a new album coming also and you can access some streaming and pre-order info via this link:  https://zjwgpy.clicks.mlsend.com/ty/cl/eyJ2Ijoie1wiYVwiOjEwOTI4NjUsXCJsXCI6MTQ5MzkyNzc1MTIxNDcwNjc4LFwiclwiOjE0OTM5Mjg0MDA5NTQzMzc0MX0iLCJzIjoiNDc2ZDBmOTdhZmVlYjY5NyJ9

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

Please support your local businesses and artists…they need you and community is powerful