mitchellsreviews

The Mitchells

Heard - ezine (Australia) http://heard.com.au

THE MITCHELLS - (SELF TITLED)/Dagger Promotion 12/2001

A pretty cool 4 piece out of the US, whose sound is not too far removed from that of the outstanding XTC, as quite a few people I played this to remarked. That said though, the band do have their own sound & style & all 3 tracks on this CD have obviously had some good work put in.

The opener "Flashlight Hunter" & middle track "U.S.S. Macon" are both great pop tunes which seem just slightly off, but it's this that really makes them work so well & makes both tracks very addictive. The closing number "Cheap Date" is the one which eventually took the pick for me, slowing the pace somewhat & broadening the focus to include more of the instrumental. This CD is apparently from 2000, so I look forward to hearing some more great new tunes in the near future.

Demo Universe http://www.demouniverse.com

Mitchells, The
The Mitchells

CD - arrived June 14, 2001

Odd guitars clang and buzz merrily on this brief but enjoyable 3-song CD. Caleb Wetmore is a unique vocal presence, low and strangely fluid, as if he'd sucked a few Whip-Its before stepping to the mic (not that I endorse such behavior, kids). Comparisons by other reviewers to Polvo and Pavement are apt, but I don't get the Mission Of Burma references at all. On this disc, at least, The Mitchells are cool and cerebral, seemingly never in danger of flying off the handle. Which is good or not, depending on your bent, but in any event, if you're in the mood for some artful indie-pop, by all means give this one a try.

(Reprinted from VMag, Northampton, MA, December 2000 )

The Mitchells
3 Songs
Small Batch Records

I've been listening to this great little EP almost continuously since I got my hands on it. The Mitchells (Kayvan Darouian on guitar, Mike MacLean on drums, Bill Smith on bass and Caleb Wetmore on vocals and guitar) continue to impress. 3 Songs is only available at The Mitchells' shows. One more reason to go check out this band live. The disc includes "Flashlight Hunter," "U.S.S. Macon," and "Cheap Date." These three songs continue the sound style found on The Mitchells' '99 release, Contraption. Still a Mission of Burma meets The Smiths feel to these songs and still a major push of originality and quality that makes those lame comparisons music writers like to do irrelevant. The Mitchells are their own band and are defining a sound that is as thoughtful as it is rocking. Melodic beauty doesn't begin to describe what these guys are putting out and 3 Songs should provide the core of a solid full-length release somewhere down the road. "Flashlight Hunter" shows an intelligent pop-craftsmanship and makes it onto my personal A-list of tunes. "U.S.S. Macon" follows a similar vein, clearly harkening back to some early Peter Prescott, while remaining true to itself along the way. Wetmore's phrasing and general vocal style draws a line of listenability straight to the to the wonderful pop-complexity of the rest of the band. I continue to be impressed with the musicianship as a whole, but the guitar interplay really puts me on the edge of my seat. "Cheap Date" is a good tune. It does, however, let the listener know that this band is still in a growth stage. Wetmore strains on some notes and could do with some work on his vocal range, but this minor complaint takes nothing away from the overall quality. The Mitchells are clearly a band to keep an eye on. You can find the Mitchells at their Small Batch Records website by typing in the overly complex http://member.aol.com/MikeMac/Home.htm....

(Reprinted from The Noise, Boston, MA, December 1999 )

The Mitchells

"Contraption"

Small Batch Records

11-song CD

From the Western, Mass. land of that mighty buffalo named Tom, comes the first full length release from The Mitchells. Heavily influenced by the likes of Bob Mould, Mission of Burma, Polvo, Tom Verlaine, The Call, and Big Country, this CD has all the trimmings of the beast that indie pop has to offer. There's so much to enjoy here, I barely know where to begin. "Snowday" is a straight ahead rocker followed by the spritely uptempo Translator-meets-Big Country romp "Tambourine," and my favorite track, "Fake Our Deaths." There's a lot of Television-esque guitar interplay throughout this record, tempered with tight pounding backbeats Malcom Travis would be pround of, balanced by Caleb Wetmore's throaty husky voice.

On the fourth song, "Giddy," the band shifts gears and gets spacey, revealing yet more layers of solid musicianship, intellectual wordplay, and pop edge one could only expect from more established bands whose names are continually dropped in only the most reverent of whispers. Other standout tracks include the garage rock-meets-surf "Zinc Yellow," the irresistably poppy "Fighting for the Good Legos" and "Sounded Like a 1-5-5," and the trippy tapeloop freakout at the end of "The Switch." Each song on this disc is so meticulously crafted with dense guitar layers, tight drums and bass, and dynamic vocals. I have no doubt this CD will be in my player for some time to come. Joel Simches

(Reprinted from VMag, Northampton, MA, December 1999 )

The Mitchells

"Contraption"

Small Batch Records

I picked up a few discs from VMag. I walked down the street to get some coffee and like a messenger from God some brid plopped a big, dark, runny shit all over the jewel case of The Mitchells' new disc, Contraption. I guess the old adage that "everyone's a critic" is true.

Contraption is The Mitchells' (Kayvan Darouian on guitar and bass; Mike MacLean on drums and percussion; Bill Smith on bass, guitar and tape loops; Caleb Wetmore on guitar and vocals) first full-length CD. Now, I must admit to you that I wanted to get this disc and, like that wayward brid, not really like these guys. When the first formed in '94, all of a sudden there were "The Mitchells" stickers all around Amherst. Not usually a problem for me, but at the time I was playing guitar in a really bad punk band (I'll never admit who) and these guys liked to put their stickers on top of ours. Years later, here I am with a chance to be malicious and blow this disc, journalistically speaking of course, out of the water. One problem though - I like it. It's good. Oh well, at least no one can question my journalistic integrity (an oxymoron I do realize).

The Mitchells have three previous releases; "Five Minutes/Underwater" 7" single from '95, an eponymous four-song cassette from '96, and None Too Awful Bright, a 7" EP from '97. After listening to Contraption, I might just try to dig those up from somewhere.

The Mitchells have a sound that reminded me of an indie rock blend between Mission of Burma and The Smiths. The influences are pretty heavy, but don't take away from the quality or originality here. All eleven songs are good, but there are some real stand-outs that need to be highlighted. "Tambourine Jockey" comes on strong with that sparse yet rocking eighties art-rock sound: should have been in the pole position instead of following "Snowday." "Zinc Yellow" has a great, creepy bridge between verses. "Fighting For The Good Legos" has a guitar lead that is as fragile as crystal, with an undertone of edge from the rest of the band: it really caught me up in the music. "King Of Donairs" and "Sounded Like A 1-5-5," though, are the best tunes on Contraption (both have been previously released on the None Too Awful Bright EP. Good choice bringing them back for a full-length release; especially "Sounded Like A 1-5-5." Great song.

Great disc. Whoever is writing the lyrics (individual or group) has a solid future. The songs on Contraption are written with a sort of intellectual emotionalism that brings back memories of bands that were out to affect the listener, rather than just get on the radio. Imagine that. If Northampton's Small Batch Records has more like The Mitchells lined up, they'll do well. I should also mention that the production quality here is superb and it wasn't surprising that Jim Fogarty at Westfield's Zing Studios recorded the disc. I've reviewed several CD's done at Zing and they're all top-notch. For more info on The Mitchells and Contraption try http://member.aol.com/MikeMac11/Home.htm. If you happen to get the disc, watch out for that bird. Duke Aaron

(Reprinted from Popshots.org, November 1999 )

And, finally, the magic that is Hefner, at the Eden that is the Flywheel.

But first, a word from The Mitchells, an up-and-coming NoHo / Amherst, MA area band that is quite enjoyable, especially if you are into the old school Archers of Loaf / Wedding Present nexus of bands. Not that I can think of any. But the lead singer sounds Gedge-y, spews Debris Slide-era nonsense, and wings around his wingnutty band mates on askew vectors with the greatest of ease.

(I would comment on Zeke Fiddler, the opening opening act, except that I misplaced an hour somewhere along the way. Hopefully, with my new brain, I'll be able to figure out where that hour went.)

But, then, those four lovable chaps from London took the carpet, plugged in, tuned up, and stole their way into the hearts of heart-broken lads & lasses everywhere. That Darren Hayman...he's a wordsmith if there ever was one. And the band was amazing behind him - especially he who went from guitar to harmonica to that lap-top honky-tonk instrument (is that a pedal steel?), grinning like the Grinch stealing Christmas.

Darren & Co. expressed much love to the fans, and blessed us over-enthusiastic clappers with a 2-song encore, consisting of a David Soul cover (go Hutch!), and a rip-roaring version of "The Sweetness Lies Within" that built to an exciting climax. Ah, it was a marvel to behold.

So, yes, this has been a good week for concerts. And this Thursday - Fugazi. The Ex. Rhode Island.

Of course, you know I'm excited.

daver.

POP SHOTS - http://popshots.org

(Reprinted from Music Revue, Northampton, MA, January 2000 )

The Mitchells

"Contraption"

Small Batch Records

*NOTE: Okay, here is a so-so review of Contraption, but in the spirit of keeping it honest, we're printing it here just to show that hey, not everyone has gushed over the CD. Music is a matter of opinion.

If you've ever heard the jingle-jangle guitars and disassociated lyrics of alt-pop college radio, then you've heard the Mitchells' sound before. The arrangements are loosely strung together, with upbeat insturments gleefully playing off each other and lyrics that sound like something that might happen if Beck has a fever dream and decided to spout poetry at a coffee house. If you're into that vibe, you'll love this record. If not, you won't get past the second song.

If you do continue through the disc, there's some good stuff mixed in, though. The lyrics to "Fake Our Deaths" are worth checking out, as the band ponders what life would be like with them (supposedly) dead. They have fun with the concept, imagining "unvonfirmed sightings," much like those suffering from Post-Elvis Stress Disorder might witness. The track "Zinc Yellow" has a funky bass groove, and a very fun feel to it that's sure to make the alterna-chicks jump around. The only problem I had with Zinc was the intro, which almost made me skip the song entirely. It's a weird mix that sounds like a couple of AM radio stations overlapping for a truly annoying sound. The last song on the CD, "The Switch," has about two minutes of the same at the finish of the track.

There are, however, other interesting moments on the disc. Great song titles like "Fighting for the Good Legos" beg to be listened to and there are a few memorable instrumental bits on the disc as well. For instance, the eerie guitar riff in "Sounded Like a 1-5-5" makes it, musically, the best song on the album. The Mitchells sound like they'd be a lot of fun live, which is probably what has given them a bit of staying power locally. With unique lyrics, and musicians who clearly have potential, the band could go somewhere. But first, they need to prove they can expand on the few bass grooves and guitar hooks on this CD that keep it from being little more than one run-on song.

(Reprinted from The Noise, Boston, MA, December 1997 )

The Mitchells

"None Too Awful Bright"

Small Batch Records

3-song 7"

Let me be a little unsubtle here: INDIE, INDIE, INDIE, INDIE! This very enjoyable 3 song record comes to us just dripping with credibility. It contains everything that tweaks the nip of fanzine editors in bedrooms all over America. You got yet "formed at U-Mass. Amherst, started out in coffee houses." You got yer band members named Caleb, Kayvan, yer no chorus, drony guitar interplay, drummer kind've struggling to keep up (but in a cool way), songs with vague, deconstructed lyrics. There's even a list of likes (..rice and beans, drink tix, friendly sound people) and dislikes (dropped sticks, non owning a van, compression...) on the back cover (which I'm sure was done at Kinko's).

Seriously, what's not to like? It sounds like Polvo or old Pavement. It sounds like they're from North Carolina. There aren't any stupid "hooks" to get in the way of digging it and I fully encourage these boys to keep it up. Shit, half the time I'm not sure about compression either. I'm not going to sell this record after I review it. Corin "Where did you meet a friendly sound person?" Ashley

(Reprinted from The Worcester Phoenix, November 14 1997 )

The Mitchells

None Too Awful Bright

small batch

three-song EP

All the earmarks of a NoHo band (jingle-jangle guitars, up-front, meandering bass, and understated vocals), and sure enough these guys are based out of Amherst. Cale b Wetmore's vocals fall somewhere between the Wedding Present's Gedge and the dead guy from Joy Division. Although there's nothing groundbreaking here, this is still pretty solid swirling, nuanced indie-pop along the same lines as neighboring contemporaries New Radiant Storm King and Tizzy. All things considered, non too awful bad. In fact, pretty darn good.

(Reprinted from the Massachusetts Daily Collegian )

...Mitchells a blast

by Bradley Skaught

Anyone who has been to enough local shows has probably seen The Mitchells at least once. That's not a bad thing, of course. In fact, it's often the only predictably good thing about local shows. Just because you've seen The Mitchells, though, doesn't mean you've actually heard The Mitchells. Not unless you've got a copy of this wonderful four song EP, that is.

Putting the guitars right up front where they belong, The Mitchells kick things off in glorious style with "Sick," a song that beautifully showcases the sparkling two guitar interplay, sometimes reminiscent of Television's less lucid moments, and the fluid, rock solid rhythm section. Kayvan Darouian and Caleb Wetmore are probably some of the most imaginative guitarists in the Valley, eschewing walls of discordant distortion for intelligent and tightly wound arrangements.

Perhaps the most surprising thing about the EP are Wetmore's vocals. Often lost in the muddy mixes of basement PA's, Wetmore's vocals here are confident and smooth, at times reminiscent of New Order's Bernard Sumner--smart and engaging, with a similar ear for the subtle hook and catchy phrase.

The Mitchells have done their fans a great service by creating more than just a document of their live performances--they reach into the songs here, capturing all of the disparate elements that work together toward the surprising and imaginative whole. A solid, exciting collection of songs. B (Bradley Skaught)

(Reprinted from The Massachusetts Daily Collegian)

Central/Orchard Hill to host local bands in Spring Recess

by Mike Burke

Well there may be no official Spring concert this year, but music fans looking for an all-day outside show in the sun can get ready for tomorrow's Spring Carnival of Music and Light, formerly known as Spring Recess in the Central/Orchard Hill Residential Areas.

Organized by Jay-boy McIsaac and Jay Bain of local band, Synaesthesia, and Van Meter House Council the Spring Carnival is billed as "the biggest production in a decade featuring local bands." The all local line-up includes Nearl Foreman, Yep!, the Mitchells, Scraggy Neck Road, Roadkill and the Colonel Mustard Trio during the day. The fun will continue once the sun sets as Clovis Point, Funktapuss, Borderland, Nimium Quam and Synaesthesia share the stage.

And what a stage! Set up in the basketball courts between Orchard Hill and Van Meter Residence Hall, the thirty foot by thirty foot stage comes complete with twin scaffold towers of speakers -- so the entire campus can hear the show. At night a special computer generated light show is planned by NOISE Laboratories.

Besides the all day music line-up and light show, there is a semi-Carnival set up complete with a dunking booth, an inflated moon bounce, a slip and slide and tournaments for basketball and croquet. Hungry music fans can also buy food from vendors on hand selling hot dogs, veggie burgers, cotton candy, snow cones and popcorn.

If the Spring Carnival isn't enough for you, both the Sylvan and Northeast Residential Areas are holding similar, yet more low-key, events to celebrate the end of the school year. Headlining the Northeast bonanza is the Emergency Broadcast Network, a band known for opening up U2's ZooTV tour in 1992.

(Reprinted from The Massachusetts Daily Collegian, p5)

The Mitchells celebrate release of debut record

by Tara MK Connelly (Collegian Staff)

NORTHHAMPTON -- Sporting a delightful deep purple V-neck velour shirt tastefully trimmed with brown and gold cuffs, lead singer Caleb Wetmore welcomed the crowd to the Mitchells' debut single record release party.

"I can't believe how many people showed up," said Wetmore, "we're really thankful."

The quartet then broke into "Mr. Underground" followed by "Instant Party" and a 'brand spanking new' tune "Fighting For the Good Leggo Pieces."

Wetmore explained the song's long title by giving a brief talk on Leggos. "You know when you went to a friend's house and you had a long green piece and a curvy brown one and he was building a castle and you were building a lumber yard." Almost everyone in the audience understood and laughed.

One of The Mitchells best sounding songs was, "3rd Floor" a fast frantically paced number filled with tight drumming and tasty licks that had bassist Bill Smith shaking his head at an alarming rate and the rest of the member's following suit.

The band was given a short break when drummer Mike MacLean left his seat to come forward and speak to the audience."

"Hi. They don't let me come here and talk so I thought I'd seize the moment. We don't have that stage persona that like moves people," he said laughing. He was no Phoebe Summersquash, but he sufficed.

The songs that received the most accolades were the single's A side "Five Minutes" and B Side "Underwater." The former was littered with a fast funky bass layered over feedback provided by guitartist Kayvan Darouian who often broke into some intricate guitar solos that only added to the band's already original sound.

The evening was closed with "Tollbox," followed by a thank you from The Mitchells. The crowd responded with thrundering applause and afterwards purchased many singles.

Opening up for the Mitchells was a plethora of local bands who signed up to support their local Valley musicians. Tizzy (minus their guitarist Joel), Pirate Jenny and Encyclopedia Brown played along with Pop-up Book, a last minute addition comprised of members from The Mitchells, Sourpuss and Pollyanna.

(Reprinted from The Valley Optimist Magazine, March 8, 1995, p18)

Mitchell Mania!

Ecstatic post-game talk with victorious Mitchells

by Ken Maiuri

Now that they've conquered Rhode Island, The Mitchells are ready to play for the home crowds. The one-year-old band recently won the semi-final round in a "Battle of the Bands"-type contest sponsered by Providence's WBRU, which asked the group to compete solely on the basis of their impressive self-released five-song demo. Drummer Mike MacLean, bassist Bill Smith, guitarist Kayvan Darouian, and vocalist/guitarist Caleb Wetmore have created a beautiful, layered sound world of shimmering guitars, haunting vocals, and a kinetic, propulsive rhythm section; even in this world overrun by scores of new pop bands of every shape and size, The Mitchells satke out their own richly inviting territory. With instantly memorable and impressive songs like "Five Minute s," Toll Box," and "'80s Movie," their highly recommended, limited-edition, self-titled cassette is available (while supplies last) at their shows and finer Valley record stores. The Mitchells host the Bay State's Electric Open on March 15. They'll be t here at 10 p.m. So should you.

How did it feel to win the WBRU contest?

Caleb: We're shocked, mainly. Like that kind of feeling you get when you get a test back you through you failed, but you aced it. The band [we played with] were really tight, and they were all from Providence. It was really cool going to someone els e's home turf and walking away with a victory.

Mike: We were the away team with the road win.

Caleb: Everything was really positive, except for the sound check.

What happened?

Caleb: it was so obviously our first sound check, and sound buy mumbled, so we were playing the wrong instruments--

Bill: Right. You'd hear this sort of "grblztraj jnhbar," and I'd think that I understood he wanted Caleb to play, so I'd be yelling Caleb, who interpreted that as "tell Kayvan to play," so Kayvan would play. The sound man started shrieking becau se he couldn't figur out why the sound wasn't coming from the right place.

Caleb: We thought we were going to really munch. We were very unhappy before the show started, buy they adjusted everything after the first song.

Please explain to the folks at home where the name came from.

Caleb: Mystery Science Theater 3000 does premieres down in the UMass Studen tUnion. They showed a really cheesy movie starring Joe Don Baker; the film was so grainy and plot was so flat, and the hero's name was Mitchell. We thought that he was so terrible--

Mike: He drank Schlitz beer...

Caleb: He was such a man's man of the '70s, we had to use his name. It's such a nice sounding word, too, I think. It's right up there with kevlar.

Is it true your're going to use a picture of your roommate on every poster?

Mike: He's such a photogenic guy.

Caleb: He's asked me one too many times, "Is there film in that camera?" And I've flashed him a couple times. We just get these weird sort of pictures out of him. He doesn't mind. I wore his name tag from Staples at a show once.

Bill: Actually someone stopped him one time and said, "Aren't you the guy from those Mitchell posters?"

Caleb: We're planning on putting his face on the bass drum. His name's Nithin. He's our poster boy.

You sidestep current trends--your sound is unlike anything on today's music scene. You seem influenced by The Smiths, Echo and the Bunnymen, more lush sound '80s-ish pop stuff, as opposed to raw, distored, '70s-influenced rock.

Caleb: What your're getting is where the flag in the middle of the rope hangs after the tug of war. Our musical influences are all so different.

Mike: As a lot of drummers, I was totally into Rush. Now I get into more Pearl Jam-type stuff. I played jazz for years, but these days I listen to Sebadoh and Liz Phair. And I like the Sundays, dreamy kind of stuff. But I like to rock out!

Bill: When I started into this whole thing, I like a lot of loud stuff--Alice in Chains in particular. Now, on the radio, I end up only listening to "Big D 103" and early-'60s pop. I guess I'm influenced by Primus' guitarist, because I like to t hrow notes that shouldn't be there.

Caleb: When I first came to college I was on a big "wussie Euro kick." The Cure, the Smiths. But I [listen to] anything but country. And unfortunately--maybe fortunately--my voice has been compared to Morrissey's. I guess that's the biggest inf luence you can hear right away. Kayvan?

Everybody: Oh, no...

Kayvan: I'll keep the list short [laughs]. I'm really into blues. I like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Hendrix (although he's not normally considered blues), Albert King, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Otis Rush, those kind of guys. As far as more mo dern stuff, I really like Smashing Pumpkins.

Caleb: I think the one common denominator is [we all like] a thick sound with an interesting bassline.

Kayvan: Unpredictable things--

(Reprinted from VMag, Northampton, MA, December 2000 )

The Mitchells 3 Songs Small Batch Records

The Mitchells
3 Songs
Small Batch Records