M.I.C. - review added 10th March 2010
Album Review: Out 2 Rock (2010)
For fans of: Alt Rock... and clowns, possibly
Out 2 Rock follows 2009's self titled album for Chinese rockers M.I.C.. The band is the baby of Canadian-born singer/guitarist Yvon Serré, and features a drastically changed line-up from the last outing.
We now see Yvon on vocals and guitar, Huang Hongliang on bass, Zhao Qian on drums, and Seattle musician Angela Renzetti on rhythm guitar and backing vocals. Joining them are Ramon Colon, Mark Mcleod, Kathryn Merriam, Kari Holmes, David DuByne, Han Zhenzhen, Hou We, and Jun Sugimoto. M.I.C. may be 'Made In China', but there's a real multinational feel to the line-up and sound.
Out 2 Rock is an album that draws its influences from far and wide. There's punk, jazz, rock, blues, pop and more. It's all light hearted and more about fun that technical brilliance. Yvon sounds better this time round, and the production (whilst still not mind blowing) is improved.
'Sit On You' is silly but contagious listening. It's like one of those awful songs from a kid's film you can't get out of your head for weeks afterwards. It's either terrible or genius. I'll leave it up to you to decide. 'Who Do You Love' is actually a really decent song. It's arguably more understated than it should have been, but it may well be the best track M.I.C. have ever done. 'Out In the Rain' is rather splendid too. It reminds me of the stuff Elvis Costello was putting out in his heyday, but with a more rock-orientated edge.
'Hot Summer Day' is a cool song with a big smile-making chorus. The last few percentage points of excellence are missing from this album version, but I suspect it'll be awesome live. 'Forever In Your World' starts with sitar playing, before turning into a cross between Black Sabbath and Randy Newman. Again, good track, and it would fit in well on a metal version of the Toy Story films. 'Can't Live This Way' is more of a straight ahead rocker. It's okay, but is perhaps too straight-laced to be truly memorable.
'Something To Say' is a smoochy ballad. M.I.C. are better at the more offbeat rock-style songs but, you know what? This is actually okay. It gets better as it goes through, and the chorus is pretty damn effective. It could do with more warmth to the sound - at present it's too stripped back - but it's a good listen nonetheless. 'Tell the Lies' is a raucous punky effort with funky bass and lots of balls. It's not a refined track, but it is effective. The 'Johnny Be Good' rock 'n' roll stylings of 'Rockin' Lucille' are achingly familiar. I can imagine this track going down a storm in midwest US bars.
I could have done without 'Can You Hear Me' being on the album. It's not terrible, but it really isn't great. 'Can't Let You Go' is fairly average too. The upbeat sounding 'What You Doing' is better, and has some fine keyboard musings in it. Final track 'Between the Eyes' is, I guess you'd say, a semi-rocking ballad. It's nice enough, but nothing special.
Out 2 Rock has a similar vibe to the last release, but it is a definite improvement. It still isn't a 'great' album, but the guys are heading in the right direction. The last few songs are only middling quality, and there are too many styles throughout for the album to flow with true panache, but that's not enough to stop it being a pleasant listen. M.I.C. are worth checking out if you are feeling adventurous. Some of the songs here are too good to be ignored.
Check out... The first half.
Track List:
01. Sit On You
02. Who Do You Love
03. Out In the Rain
04. Hot Summer Day
05. Forever In Your World
06. Can't Live This Way
07. Something To Say
08. Tell the Lies
09. Rockin' Lucille
10. Can You Hear Me
11. Can't Let You Go
12. What You Doing
13. Between the Eyes
Artist's website(s): M.I.C. | MySpace | Facebook
