Customer Reviews

Mercedes Five & Dime

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Moist's latest release is quite different from their previous work--Silver, and Creature. Overall, the sound has continued to improve and has become more sophisticated. There's more lustre in the instrumentation and Usher's distinct voice is as powerful but soothing as ever. Some of the best tracks on this disc are: Underground, Dogs, Comes and Goes, Fish, Mandolin, Liberation, and a few others. With this third-release, Moist has proven that they're here to stay, and will be rocking for years to come, not just a one-hit wonder like many thought when Push came out.

One of the best album of the century. Get it now, and listen to it 2, 4, 10, 20 times and it will become better and more better, over and over again. Une pièce de musique rare, unique. Du Moist à son meilleur. Dur et doux, calme et orageux, profond... Un incontournable.

The long-awaited follow-up to Creature. This album has a different sound than Creature, but it is still a good album. I got this album the first week it came out, and have enjoyed it ever since. It is not as hard as previous Moist, but is very melodic with great vocals as usual. Underground, Breathe, and Alive are my favorite songs on the album.

Moist's third album reveals an obvious truth right away - the band has embraced its mellow side. However, unlike the rip-your-face-off rockers and soft acoustic ballads of the previous up-and-down album, Creature, the sound of Mercedes Five And Dime is much more consistent. The softer songs still have a hint of intensity to them, while the rockers remain rockers without stepping into hard rock territory.

Two of the best tracks, "Mike Hammer" and "Liberation", are not on the U.S. version, but a revamped, Y2K version of their 1994 breakthrough song "Push" is included. Still, their love for one-word song titles notwithstanding, one might be surprised that this album is actually a Moist album. It explores new and interesting territory, and it does so with flair and creativity.

My only complaints are twofold. One, all too often it sounds like the band found a rhythm that worked and stuck with it throughout most of the album. Two, and this is minor, after listening to albums like Silver and Creature, one sometimes wishes Mercedes would blow up the speakers once in a while. If I could give this album 3.5 stars, I would. Until that is possible, I'll pool my half star with the half star that other 3.5 reviewer gave and make this a 4-star review.

This album rocks. From the good melody of breathe to the great guitar on push. This album rocks. I think it's one of the best they have put out. They have matured and it is certainly audible in this album.

there's no way this album should get 5 stars! the Previous albums CREATURE and SILVER were much better than MERCEDES. i think SILVER is slightly better than CREATURE. for people who wonder i would rate CREATURE 4.5 on 5 and SILVER 5 on 5. i was disappointed by Mercedes, but like some other people said the more i listened to it the better it got. There are some great tunes on this cd like "breathe", "underground" and "tonight" but none of them are better than "resurrection", "Tangerine", "Leave it Alone", "silver", "Push" and some others. It is their slowest album of all, nothing to fancy. This is still an album worth having I give it a RATING: 3.5 on 5

Review: First their reputation: Moist a heavy rock outfit from Canada combine strong use of guitars and introspective religious based lyrics. Enter Mercedes Five And Dime a departure from the group's louder previous works. Gone is the thunderous rock sounds replaced by a mellower low key (almost pop like) movement. While the lyrics remain focused on spiritual topics, from God to guilt to death, the group's energy is expended exploring new sonic territories. Clearly more comfortable in the studio they are willing to take more chances and experiment sonically. Prominent experiments include heavy uses of synthesizers, loops, and hooks. Sometimes the experiments are effective as on Underground or Fish. Other times they leave the listener wanting as on Mike Hammer. On the whole Moist's new sound is pleasing but different. Mercedes Five and Dime may create a wider appeal for the band but new fans will be shocked to discover Moist's previous rockier noisier recordings.

This is a very excellent album. Although the style of Moist has changed much since their first album, "Silver", this album has a more relaxed tone, and they have really come through with a much more rounded sound. The rerecording of 'Push' included on this album is also quite excellent. If you enjoyed "Silver", you'll love this one.

On Moist's second record Creature, the band showed a desire to escape into different textures and sounds, but mixed with the band's then hard rock style, Creature became a hit and miss collection of songs. With Mercedes Five and Dime, Moist shows they're still experimenting, but the mellowed out, largely acoustic style of the record fits the new sounds much better. On Underground an airy laid back organ instrumental is the perfect sound for the band to thrash through with the tracks aggressive chorus. From their the sounds have a great interplay coming together to showcase David Usher and company's ever improving songwriting capabilities. On Breath a drum machine [stinks] you into the track while the keyboard tempo keeps the quiet style going allowing the band to gradual build the song into a wonderful climax. Then there are tracks such as Mandolin and Tonight which merge the bands acoustic and electric guitar playing wonderfully within each song. As a result on Mercedes.. each song ebbs and flows nicely never becomming repetitive, a failing of many rock bands today. Here's hoping the band keeps mellowing out and keeps experimenting with new sounds.

I got this Cd from my sister after stating that I liked the song "Breathe". After listening to it the first time, I was disappointed, but IT GREW ON ME. Not that catchy at first, but it's one of my faves now. Wish I could give it a 4.5 but I can't. As others have stated, not as heavy as previous releases, yet good music.