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- Jackknife Powerbombs “Paid In Full” from the album Mors Certa Vita Incerta

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Ok, so sometimes it is good to just crack open a boomer and let it roll and you are going to get plenty of that on this track.  The info tag on their Bandcamp account includes a claim to be “equal parts Black Flag and Motorhead” and I think that is an apt description.  I hear more of the Motorhead on this track but you can pick up that BF groove on other selections.  

Drums from go on this one, rolling guitar and a heavy bass that bleeds to the front on occasion, “Paid In Full” does not let up at all for the full 3:36 of allotted time.  Some nice solo work mid-song gives this one a little space and the vocals ring true to the midwest that these musicians call home.  Oh yes…and they wear cool shirts…just saying. 

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

Please remember to support your local folks…community is powerful 🙂 

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

Song Review- Good Reverend “Hell of a Dog” from the album Deliverance

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I just ran across this group on Bandcamp and so far have not found much additional info…I guess I will just have to track down a show and see what is up:) 

This one comes in on guitar with a little bit of the edgier Pearl Jam vibe for a few seconds.  That gives way to a slightly hypnotic heavy drum and guitar groove that takes you through the first part of the track.  There is an interesting pacing change at the chorus to add some variety after which…well, some interesting things happen.   A bit of slow chant-style lyrics covered by a moody ambiance, a soaring approach to the second chorus, and then we travel off the beaten track a little bit to a final forty-five seconds of controlled chaos.  Very satisfying! 

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

Yes…as always, please remember to support your local musicians – they need you!  And community is powerful 🙂

Song Review- Durand Jones & the Indications “Smile” from the album Live at Paste

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This band has such a great sound and two fantastic singers (Durand Jones & Aaron Frazer) who each bring their own distinctive voice for this group.   There is a wide range of musical talent here also that really keeps you engaged.  Their music is that kind of pleasant, groovy, funky rhythm and melody that can keep you bopping along through your day or provide a great nighttime ambiance.  

A few bass notes and a hearty howl start this one out with a little tambourine jangle for accompaniment.  The rhythm and melody stay fairly simple throughout most of this track with Jones’ voice really at the front.   The sound is clean and clear with good separation on the instrument tracks. The guitar cuts thorough nicely at several places to add a pleasant counterpunch to the vocals and rhythm.  

If you want to check out a track from this group that has Frazer on vocals give a listen to “The Way That I Do” 

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

Hey…it might be getting colder…but your locals still need your support…community is powerful! 

Album Review & General Plea-The Bobby Lees – Skin Suit 

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I had to get this out due to a disturbing but understandable post by this fantastic band…namely a message indicating that they were going to play out their current tour schedule (through December 20th at the the Bowery Ballroom in NYC) and then would be going on indefinite hiatus.  Their post included references to the general state of the music industry these days – you can check that post on their FB page. 

This album is their most recent and is such a solid production all the way through.  From the abrupt starts and stops of “Move,” to the booming cacophony of “Riddle Daddy,” and the disconcerting squeal and almost hip-swaying rhythm of “Blank Generation”…well, it is just a lot of damn good music.   There are some poignant messages in those lyrics also so listen closely:) 

The Bobby Lees have always been such an eclectic mix of styles, volume and sounds…hopefully they come back but until then please give them some attention when you have a minute.

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

And please remember to support your local artists…they need you and you need them :)…community is powerful 

Song Review – CLASS “Behind the Ball” from the album If You’ve Got Nothing

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There is something incredibly cool and groovy going on with this band.  They do a fantastic job of calling back to several iconic punk & rock styles wrapped within their own original creations.  As an example the opening lyrics section of this track immediately brought me back to the first Clash album (…and yes, I get it…CLASS…Clash…but still) especially some of the songs on the UK version like Deny and Protex Blue.  

“Behind the Ball” is one of those tracks that gets right to the point and has a tight arrangement that keep your attention all the way through.  Old-style punk in tone with power & rhythm to the front and a clean vocal line…a good listen and no filler.   This release has a little cleaner mastering also than their prior releases (which you should check out also…there is a great song called “Box My Own Shadow” on Epoca de los Vaqueros ).

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

Your local businesses, artists, groups…that all need you, so please get out there and support them ….community is powerful:)

Song Review – Sugar Tradition “Don’t Leave Me” from the album More Sugar 

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Holy Wowwerz and welcome Detroit Sound!  These cats are some kind of groovy and explosive blend of 60’s psychedelic, Detroit Wheels rock and garage band thrash…and it works like magic!   

From the first seconds of this track, a feedback bleed in that lasts just long enough, Sugar Tradition has your 100% attention.  A booming rhythm section sets the pace and is layered over by fuzzy guitar and vocals that lead you right along the way in this aggressive and bumpy explosion of sound.  And then…that chaos at the end (was that a cat screaming?) is a great send off toward your next adventure…which I might suggest could be the rest of this fantastic album:) 

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

Please remember to go out and support your locals…community is powerful:) 

Song Review – Dusk “Pissing In A Wishing Well” from the album Glass Pastures

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I came back from a show earlier this year where this band opened up for Sarah Shook thinking to myself, “I have to check out some more of their sounds!”  They put on a great show and as we all know…well…that will get you to keep supporting a band 🙂  I had this album on pre-order as soon as that news dropped and have been patiently (?) waiting…they had this song out early and I thought I would share my thoughts.

This track comes in a with a subdued energy…slow drum beat driving a very cool and breezy melody.  The lyrics pop in with a quick jump up that gives a little energy to the overall sound.  Throughout this song you have a kind of laid back groovy vibe running through you as Dusk takes you along on a well-crafted journey with a little humor thrown in.  My only critique here is that I wish the vocal mastering was a little bit cleaner…but then again, the tracks here do a great job of recreating the sound of their live shows…so maybe they meant it to be a little fuzzy 🙂 

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

As always, please get out an support your local establishments…community is powerful:) 

Song Review – Niis “Connection” from the album Not Niis

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I bring you this review not because it is the most recent release by this terrific band (for that check out their single “Big Zoo”).   I include it here to urge you to go out and grab as much music by this group as you possibly can…anywhere you can find it.   Upon listening to that music you may well say to yourself…”there sure is a lot of energy here!”  You would be 100% correct but if you really want to experience this assault in full force, find out where they are playing and go see them live.  Travel long & far if you have to because they will blow your head off…yes, it really is that good…in your face, explosive, a bit provocative, angry…and awesome! 

“Connection” has the things that make this band what it is; loud guitar right off the go, driving rhythm section and the sometimes soothing and often angry vocals of Mimi SanDoe.  This track is direct and short (about 1:45 total time) but delivers some good hooks in that short window and it will stay with you after listening.  The only complaint I have is that the vocal mastering is a little bit muddy but it works here.  

This band is going to break out one day…soon I suspect…get in now:)

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page https://niisla.bandcamp.com/album/not-niis

Remember that your local businesses and artists need your support 🙂 Community is powerful! 

Song Review – Tightwire “Bad Things” from the album Head Full of Snakes

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Song Review – Tightwire “Bad Things” from the album Head Full of Snakes

I have long liked a band that can get to the point, deliver a power-punching song and then get out gracefully.  I suppose that harkens back to the early days of my music listening which included the early Clash records and a bunch of groups in a similar vein.  The Clash got through “White Riot” and “What’s My Name” in under two minutes apiece and that to me was spectacular songwriting.  Here we have Tightwire who I have liked for several years for the same reason…I do not think they have ever written a song that hits the three minute mark.   I also think that the addition of Noelle Stolp has really worked to fill out the sound of this epic band.  

“Bad Things” jumps right off with some pummeling drums and a nice guitar overlaying a twangy melody line.  It fills out nicely once the vocals start with their usual sing-along pop-punk style working well and supported with a heavy bass line that give this track a booming background feel.  There are a couple of nice breaks in the sound along the way that fit right in…and they are out in just under two minutes…awesome! 

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page https://tightwirempls.bandcamp.com/album/head-full-of-snakes

Please get out when you can and support your local musicians and venues – community is powerful:)