eMusic

Start Your Trial

Mezcal Head - US Extended Version

by

Swervedriver

 
  • Deal
Mezcal Head - US Extended Version
view larger image View Larger

Rate it!

Avg: 4.5 (124 ratings)

The most tuneful of the early '90s shoegaze pedal-abusers

  • We Say...

    Review by Jason Pettigrew

    In the early '90s, Swervedriver — the British atmospheric guitar rock outfit helmed by guitarist Jimmy Hartridge and singer/bassist Adam Franklin — were often tagged as a "shoegazer" band by critics, citing the group's love of guitar pedals, textured feedback strains and seemingly infinite sustain. But while flagship 'gaze act My Bloody Valentine frequently celebrated the noise, Swervedriver offered melodies, muscle and great songs. The opener, "For Seeking Heat," immediately announces the band's intention with charging riffs, some adrenaline-surging from drummer Graham Bonnar and Franklin's impassioned vocals. "Blowin Cool" is the perfect gem to fit between Queens Of the Stone Age and Primal Scream on your next playlist, while the '50s spy-movie twang of "Last Train To Satansville" sounds like Peter Gunn dropped in on the set of Blade Runner. The real tour de force here, though, is the near-12-minute epic "Never Lose That Feeling" which downshifts from open-highway celebration into a moody vibe, flavored with some late-night sax soloing and some leviathan (albeit tasteful) guitar noise, displaying a kinship closer to the Doors than mere looping-pedal abuse. Swervedriver went on to make two more perfunctory discs, but Mezcal Head is the sublime mix of atmospheric engagement and rock power.

  • They Say...

    Review by Jack Rabid, All Music Guide

    After the spotty but promising Raise, England's Swervedriver put it all together in a big way. Right from the opening "For Seeking Heat," one can tell this is one of the hottest albums of 1993 -- certainly it's the hottest-produced album. The album explodes with the first onslaught of guitars and keeps up the crackling, monstrous, gargantuan feel thereafter. Add to that some pretty massive melodies they've never before displayed (a heretofore hidden pop sense), complete with pond-deep vocals and harmonies, especially the splendid harmonies that enliven the all-powerful "Blowin' Cool" chorus, the LP standout track along with "Duel." Best of all, they've discarded what little bothersome metallic tendencies Raise had, yet Mezcal Head pulses with even more chops. Additionally, the wah-wah here is used more judiciously, making it more of a flavor element. In the end, though, it's these tremendous songs -- a dozen unique, never-repeating compositions, so big and bold they latch on with the first play and kick your ass without seeming like they tried hard to do it -- that are the benefit of increased confidence, direction, and the bulging, steam-edge production. Behind the mixing desk, this is by far the best work yet by Alan Moulder (Ride, Boo Radleys); this is the warmest, biggest, most dynamite-loud yet clean sound he (and Swervedriver, together) has ever achieved. The band's new lineup (new rhythm section) is tighter and more flexible, with nicer bottom end and stylistic touches, while also being precise -- the otherwise unnecessary jam at the end of "Last Train to Satansville" is redeemed somewhat by the bass and drums' disciplined two-note pounding. As an added bonus, 1992's breakthrough single, "Never Lose That Feeling" (a harbinger of Mezcal Head's greatness), is added to the U.S. release. The only minor flaws are that some of the songs seem to go on a little too long, and some of the really good songs on the second half of the LP aren't quite as breathtaking as the first half, but that's getting greedy; most bands would kill for this side two. In any case, this is one whale of a record. [A reissue with remastered sound first surfaced in the U.K. in late 2008 and was then picked up for an early 2009 U.S. release through Second Motion/Hi-Speed Soul (via Universal). As with the Raise reissue, it's a single-disc package, so only three of the B-sides and stray tracks from the period are here, including the especially hot "Planes Over the Skyline."]

  • You Say...

    Write a Review

    I would like to say...

    Artist: Swervedriver

    Album: Mezcal Head - US Extended Version

    Review Title: (maximum 50 characters)

    Your Review: (maximum 1,000 characters)

    Cancel

    Please keep your comments to the recordings themselves, and be courteous and respectful. Thanks! For further info, read our Community Guidelines.

“ The indie iTunes — Hardcore music fans are migrating to eMusic, the iTunes Music Store's cheaper, cooler cousin.”


Rolling Stone
Start Your Trial

Recently Viewed

Back
Forward

© 1998-2009 eMusic.com Inc. eMusic and the eMusic logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks in the USA or other countries. All rights reserved.

All Music Guide © 1992 - 2009 All Media Guide, LLC
Portions of content provided by All Music Guide, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC

Facebook®, YouTube, Flickr™ and Wikipedia® are registered trademarks of their respective owners, Facebook Inc., Google, Inc., Yahoo! Inc. and Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. Neither Facebook Inc., Google, Inc., Yahoo! Inc. nor Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. are partners or sponsors of eMusic. eMusic uses the Facebook, Flickr, YouTube and Wikipedia API but is not endorsed or certified by Facebook, Flickr, YouTube and Wikipedia. eMusic does not pre-screen, monitor, endorse nor assume any liability for websites, contents, products, services or claims made by Facebook, YouTube, Flickr™ and Wikipedia®.

Legal or copyright question regarding Facebook, YouTube, Flickr or Wikipedia content on eMusic? Please email us.