Insight & Critique
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

Mythmakers - Mythmakers

11/13/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Mythmakers

Mythmakers
self-released; 2014

3.8 out of 5

By Ryan Zepp
Mythmakers are an alt-country/folk/rock band from Nashville, TN.  If you had a nickel for every time, right?  I said the same thing to myself before I sat down to give the self-titled debut album Mythmakers a listen, but Justin Bailey and his band mates have created an album that feels fresh within the boundaries of the genre.

This can be attributed mostly to the strength of Bailey's songwriting, which features lyrics that are thoughtfully phrased and delivered through attractive vocal melodies.  His voice is something like a mix between Ryan Adams, Brandon Summers, Damien Rice and John Mayer with certain songs illuminating those elements in different ways.  The lyrics touch on themes such as heartbreak, how to cope with lose, feeling out your place within your surroundings, traveling and the always evolving understanding of personal autonomy.  

He likes to rhyme consecutive lines, sometimes as many as four or five in a row, which effectively holds the listeners’ attention and hooks them line after line.  Speaking of hooks, its memorable choruses, as well as the engaging transitions between sections, really help to lift this LP off the ground initially.

"I'm Walking Through Walls" is a fitting example of this.  While the section that bookends the song sounds influenced by the Avett Brothers, the vibe of its verses and chorus actually remind me of The National--yet, all three sections make complete sense together.  The acoustic guitar picking over the kick drum calls to mind "Daughters of the Soho Riots.”  Its chorus chugs forwards while guitars fuzz out and pretty trumpet lines ring as Bailey repeats, "I'm walking through walls;" I can totally imagine Berninger's lackadaisical baritone delivery right here.  The female backing vocals are a nice touch, too.

Then there's "Your Eyes," which comes out of left field with its electronic drum kit, rattling bass and sparse guitars layered over top.  It's blatantly unique within this batch of songs without managing to undercut a sense of cohesion.  Bailey understands this balance well: to create songs in a way that isn't narrowly formulaic, yet fits naturally within the big (album) picture.  

My personal favorite on Mythmakers is the following track, "By the Edge of the Lake."  I've spoken of how the essence of Bailey's songwriting (lyrics and basic melody) is what makes this record stand strong, but the sounds and textures that the whole band contributes creates captivating atmospheres and moods.  The chilled out drum beat starts and this focal pointed acoustic guitar riff (bleh-nep!) surrounds itself with wispy guitars.

The drums pause perfectly as vocals reverberate and this riff clearly shows its face.  It instantly gives this track so much personality: anxious and desperate.  Bailey infectiously sings in the chorus, "If you give light the darkness for faith/ life will change but stay the same/ So I will stand by the edge of the lake/ And kneel to the first breath of day."  

The album doesn't end quite as strong as it begins, but it has already won me over by the time "Edge of the Lake" has passed.  I'm definitely looking forward to giving this album some spins as I move into the winter months.  Mythmakers have a good thing going here—I’d suggest checking it out.
official website
Tweet
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by divideanconqer
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
Book Your Band

© Divide and Conquer 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact