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- 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

Song Review- The Birthday Massacre – “Sleep Tonight” from the album Pathways

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I can never quite figure out exactly where to place The Birthday Massacre in the arc of musical genres and that is undoubtedly a good thing.  Some parts goth rock or industrial, a little retro 80’s pop wave mixed in there, I am sure you can add your own pieces if you know their music.  It is pretty darn good though and does not really need a label stuck on it anyway.  

I like the heavy start to this track; nice industrial riffs and a dark tone overall…and then it opens up so nicely into a lyrical passage with an almost uplifting vibe before slowly falling back toward the heavier side.  That contrast of light, dark, heavy and soft is a trademark of their music and very well done on this song.

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

Just a reminder to support your locals out there – they all 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…

Album Review- Annie Dolan with Joel Paterson – “Sorry Charlie” from the album Atta Boy Girl

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I was intrigued to see this set come out in advance of Dolan’s upcoming album release of her own material and gave it a good listen…enjoyed all of it but this track stuck out to me as a favorite. 

This song starts out with a bit of rockabilly toned guitar and bass and hammers along in that vein accompanied by some nice lyrical work from Dolan.  The guitar solo around the 1:15 mark is right on point and crisply played.  Really good production on this with well-blended instruments and vocals…keep that toe tappin’! 

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

Your locals would love to see you out and about  – 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…

Album Review- Wiretap Records  – 10 Year Compilation

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I am not going to run through all 81 songs on this monster compilation…that would be quite the read for you and I would get sidetracked about 100 times along the way.  Suffice it to say that Wiretap Records is one of the best labels out there for getting those up & coming punk artists released into this world and you will be blown away by the music on this album.  Just cue up “Spanish Love Song” by Concrete from the top of the list and you will get a taste of the awesomeness.   Every band here deserves a direct mention but I am going to limit it to a few suggestions that are just personal favs: Wolves&Wolves&Wolves&Wolves, Aree and the Pure Heart, Elijah Newman & the SideEffects, Avenues, Camiches and Lovebreakers.  Really though, buy it and get your own favorites list going – you will not be disappointed! 

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

As always…remember to get out and support your local artists – community is powerful 🙂

And please think about purchasing this song (or better yet…the entire album and maybe for more than the very generous $5 minimum they put on it) after you listen – streaming music does not pay much even times a thousand…

Song Review- The Dry County Crooks “Broken Bond” from the album Love, Life and Death

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This a song with some deep lyrical meaning hidden in a slightly twangy and upbeat format.  It jumps off with a quick eight seconds of acoustic guitar that sets your expectation on the melancholy side and then…kick, kick, kick you are off at a much faster pace than expected.  The beats and rhythms here are definitely in the outlaw punk lane with some very distinct bass lines framing the track.   This one will have you toe-tapping along for sure.  

I almost reviewed “Picture in Time” for this post and if you have a chance give that one a listen also – it is one of those “simple song” stunners.  

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

Your locals need you – so please remember to get out and support 🙂 

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

Song Review- Whatever… “Our Decline” from the album Our Decline

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Well, I have to admit that I was surprised to see this release pop up from these Cleveland rockers.  It was quite a long time ago that they had bowed out and to see them back in the groove again in very cool.  

This track is nice, loud and driven right from the start and can get you a little pumped up.  The lyrics are delivered in a punk style a bit reminiscent of a Bad Religion / Pennywise mixture.  Backed by some tight guitars, a solid bass and really good drums this song has much to offer.  Whatever… have come back around with good energy and a style similar to what they had back in the late 90’s.  

If you have the time, also check out their 1997 release Youngsters – it is well produced and worth a listen (“I Want To Be” is my fav track).  

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page https://whatever-punk-ohio.bandcamp.com/

Remember to get out there and support your local businesses – 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- Katie Knipp “Outlaw Doc” from the album Me

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There is such a nice, peaceful ten seconds that lead off this song, it makes you kind of “sitting around the backyard” kind of sleepy…and then boom!  This track bangs open into a real hard driver…very awesome! 

That calm intro is a very nostalgic dobro that is understated and almost under-volume.  When this track takes off that dobro carries on with the accompaniment of a crashy drum line, bass, guitar, harmonica and a great sounding Hammond organ.   Nice guitar solo mid-stream also and what a great ending ( I will not ruin that for you…just listen!).

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

As always…please get out with your locals…they all need you 🙂 

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

Song Review- JP Harris “JP’s Florida Blues #1” from the album Sometimes Dogs Bark at Nothing  

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Yes, I know JP Harris has a more recent album (check out JP Harris is a Trash Fire) and it actually was listening to that one which brought me right back to this former release.  My favorite  track off of Dogs is “When I Quit Drinking” but this one caught my attention today…I’m guessing it is going to be a real jammer of a day here!

This song, despite its sad story to tell, has a special kind of exuberance about it that convinces you everything is going to be ok.  In addition to a rowdy, slightly chaotic drum beat and great guitars…that tambourine rattling away in the background levels this one up for me.   You will be hitting skip back on this track a few times for sure:) 

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

Please remember to get out and see your local musicians – they love the support…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- Jody Carroll “County Jail Blues” from the album Mountain 

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Nice and clean blues / roots music…you can get some by listening to this track 🙂 

Right from the go on this song you have that classic bluegrass vibe from the spoken “let’s go to jail” opening to well played guitar and banjo.  The lyrics here are simple, clear and tell a classic story of imprisonment and the perpetual desire to run free again.  Great production work on this track also with nice instrument clarity and a strong vocal mix.  

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

You local businesses and artists need your support…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- The Copyrights “In There Somewhere” from the album New Ghosts

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Some bands…with some songs… just have the ability to bring you some good old nostalgic vibes and feelings.. That is exactly what happened when I hit play on this recent release from The Copyrights.   Just try it out for yourself and you will know what I mean. 

This track opens nicely with some heavy drums that spring open into a great opening lyric “Joy, I need to drag you down, it feels like its been so long since we’ve had it out.”  The guitar distortion really sets the mood for this song and is offset nicely by the punchy bass line…and it all goes out on a nice noisy build that abruptly cuts off…very cool.

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

Please remember to get out there and support all of your locals…community is powerful! 

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