Mercutio - If The Aging Magician Should Learn To Believe
While I have spoken much of the lack of music scene in New Hampshire, all the New Hampshire bands I have reviewed up to this point (05/02/06) have been part of the southern and eastern sections of New Hampshire. If you want a dead area for music, visit western New Hampshire. Home to a couple cafes and legion halls for concerts, it’s hard to imagine any band being able to make a name for itself in such an environment. I must admit that I have heard about Mercutio for a few years now but never checked them out. Understandably, the band has gone through some changes since when I first heard about them (I recollect hearing they were more pop/indie orientated, though I don’t know the validity of that statement).
Indeed the change was unlike anything I really expected from the band. I clicked play as the CD slid its way into the drive…. and then I did a double-take at the artist on the bottom and the speakers. A fierce screaming and articulate melody came through that sounded more like something Alexisonfire would be known for, not some band from western NH! I finally gained some pride in being from this end of New Hampshire after the first song How To Make The Best Out Of An Elevator Ride. Structurally, it’s one of the most intense songs on the album.
Run Salem Run comes next with a more melodic, soft piece reminiscent of some melodic parts of From Autumn To Ashes mixed with the bleeding screamy vocals scattered in the song. The ending of the song climaxes with a very heavy-hitting explosion of screams that leads into the chorus for one last time. Sleep In History has another melodic yet spazzy screamy side to it, following similar patterns to Alexisonfire with climactic screaming builds. Slower, more melodic parts falls in line with some of the quieter tracks Emery has put out. Mansion St has to be one of the most awkward tunes of the album, and I am really not quite sure if I like it or not still. The spastic screaming in the beginning contrasts so much with the singing and the music that it just seems awkward, but after that little bit, it becomes fine. I’m not quite sure on that track.
The two closers to the album finish it strong, with My Pretty Bible Bomb getting things on the right page again with more two-step-orientated verses and some heavy, throaty vocals. The chorus is very catchy and sing-along orientated, certainly one of the highlights of the album. Scarecrow Science closes the album with the most powerful and strongest track they could have chosen. Fierce vocals that sound like Haste The Day mix with well-placed clean vocals to deliver a fast, energetic song with power. The ending of the song is incredibly powerful and fierce, one of my favorite endings to songs for local bands.
The EP is short yet powerful, and I would encourage everyone to listen to Scarecrow Science if they want a good example of what the band can do. I wasn’t honestly expecting this, and I really hope to see some more stuff come out of Mercutio in the future.
TRACK LIST:
01. How To Make The Best Out Of An Elevator Ride
02. Run Salem Run
03. Sleep In History
04. Mansion St
05. My Pretty Bible Bomb
06. Scarecrow Science