Customer Reviews

We're Already There

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

 

 

About a week ago, I was in a local record store, not really paying attention, when I heard ocean sounds followed by the beautiful, simplistic strumming of "Louise" start to play over the store's speaker system. It instantly caught my attention. Then I heard the singer, Quentin Stoltzfus, begin to sing in an earnest, clear voice. I had to know what it was. I asked the clerk and he informed me that it was the new Mazarin album, his third. To my shame, I had somehow missed this great artist through two albums. I purchased the CD a few days later, unable to get the song out of my head and wanting badly to hear it.

Overall, I have been incredibly pleased with the album. I've already listened to it over five times in a period of three days. It's a CD I'm very proud to own.

In the album, the songs are often layered with bells and varying percussive sounds, which makes the album's sound refreshingly different. I would like to congratulate Mr. Stoltzfus for writing songs where the tambourine is actually effectively used. "The New American Apathy" serves well to hook you and bring you into the album. This song, in my opinion, also provides a better alternative to any Postal Service song. Think about it. "Another One Goes By" is sure to get stuck in your head in an enjoyable way. As a former drummer, Stoltzfus chooses to mix up the drum beats, sometimes using a drum kit and sometimes electronic beats. Sean Byrne plays drums on the album (as well as on the two previous Mazarin records) and also deserves credit for his skills.

This album has a drive that is sorely missing from most music these days. While I can never remember the name of "At 12 to 6" until the chorus kicks in, I find myself saying "Oh yeah, I forgot how good this song is" almost every time. The contribution of Walter Martin, of the Walkmen (another great band), can be heard in "I'll see you in the Evening" and "Northeast Winter." He plays the Farfisa Compact, which essentially sounds organ-like and adds a certain depth to the two songs for which I am grateful. The sound is more prominent in "Northeast Winter" where it rings through to the last lingering note.

The two instrumental songs, "Shroed(er)/inger" and "Kenyan Heat Wave," are both layered enough to keep you engaged and not too long so as to be annoying. The latter has a deeply resonating drum beat that keeps things interesting. The album's finale and title track, "We're Already There," has a free bohemian feel to it with Stoltzfus singing soothingly against the moaning, rolling guitar sounds.

I have to give Stoltzfus/Mazarin credit for creating a CD that I know I can put in around anyone and they'll turn to me and say, "This is really great." How they have been around for years without having more fame than they do, I do not know.

This is the most focused of Mazarin's outputs. This by no means it's the least interesting, it simply frames their adventurousness around a clearer and more dynamic songcraft. Beautiful almost psychedelic constructions, emotionally and intelligently authentic notions, and an underbelly of electronic detritus and grooves (at times fantastically delving into motorythmic rock grooves). Essential!

There is a daft misuse of circumstance surrounding "Mazarin" It, too, is an institution. And here is an album so worthy of not defining itself that the symbolic beauty of its presentation as a "near miss" can only be considered as its immediate charm for those that have discovered and cherish its texture and meaning. For those that know, we love. And as every song teeters into the next as an exploration of circumstance we can't help but realize the melancholic synapsis firing within "We're Already There"...as if this band needed some compensatory illusion as to the nefariousness of there own personal obstacles and life circumstance. This album evokes a transparency of not only the struggle of maturing in our present age, but it offers an inclusive and well meaning message that "Hey, ok. Well that sucked. But she's still standing. Let me hold her hand. Maybe she can tell me her secret". If I where to bury an album in a time capsule I would include "We're Already There". And for those uncovering that said capsule it would be an expression most easily understand for those minds so far from forming themselves. A smattering of unprovoked hope against the seemingly general malaise of the 2000's, this is an album that speaks as though it knows it never had a hope. But still wanted to share itself anyways. A complete listen...although a simple rearrangement of the tracks based on personal preference could create a sonic personal diary.

I actually bought this album based on the one other review here on Amazon. I'd never heard of Mazarin before. And, honestly, I thought the album cover was so cool, I decided to take the risk. It was one of those silly, slightly impulsive decisions that could've ended up with me kicking myself and bemoaning my lost $$$. Luckily, I was rewarded.

The music is quite unique, so I'm hesitant to compare Mazarin to anybody, but it's sorta like the Shins meets early Belle & Sebastian - shimmery, jangly, indy pop. Some songs are just plain beautiful. And it's one of those albums you like more and more as you listen to it over and over again.

If you're starved for good new alternative music, this is a safe bet. It's not the best album of the year, but it's certainly in the top 30.