MRYGLD - MRYGLD

MRYGLD

MRYGLD
self-released; 2017

​3.7 out of 5

By Rebecca Rothschild

Mrygld, pronounced “marigold” is an alt-rock/pop band bringing their debut self-titled album Mrygld from Birmingham, Alabama. The album is six tracks long and filled with lively guitar riffs combined with a digital sound that pays big homage to the ‘80s. Many of the songs are catchy with fun lyrics. The group utilizes two vocalists being Brandon Snipes and Alyssa Jewell. These two are excellent and even better when combined. Shane Jewell (guitar) proves himself to be quite an asset with his elaborate riffs. This album is airy, fun and can even has thought provoking moments.

Starting off the album is “Cool Kids.” It sets the tone for the light and poppy riffs and key work that will define the album. The song is pleasant enough but compared to other tracks, I was left wanting more on this one. 

“Only the Lonely” caught my attention right off the bat. Great lyrics, the music is infectious and unique. This track was a great example of the two vocalists working so well together. It’s also an ideal blend that hits all their genre notes with even a little folksiness thrown in. This may have been the better choice for an opener. 

“One Foot” also features fantastic, motivational lyrics. It’s as though they taught the old dog phrase “put one foot in front of the other” a new trick. This is one where you get to hear Jewell work her magic. There was something about the arrangement of the music on this one that did not pair well. I think the track was meant to showcase Jewell’s lovely vocals but the music needed a little more distinctiveness.

“Bed of Roses” starts off with a standout tone and then leans into guitar riffs that fall in line with the rest of the album which came off as a little “meh” for me. The fifth track, “All the Rage” brings a lot of fun and a musical change up as well. I loved the guitar work. The album closes out on “Love Will Survive” which got a little more somber and again, didn’t make much of an impression on me. 

The strengths for this group are vocals, lyrics and guitar. Where I struggled was with some of the music’s arrangement. Some of tracks fell into a rut of very specific riffs and key sounds that stitched some of the tracks way too close together. Even when there were enticing deviations off the path a lot of the songs wouldn’t commit to that; instead they would revert back to the familiar.

The ‘80s influence in the key performance stuck out like a sore thumb at times. There is a solid modern sound here and there that just didn’t blend in with the high-pitched synth. It may need an update. 
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Mrygld is interesting. There’s lots of things I can appreciate in their work. The music is good. I would like to hear them step out a little more from their root sound. They clearly understand their aesthetic and where they want to take people. All in all the band is solid and the music has a lot of potential.

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