I have not written a review in a couple months, because I have been too busy being a hot-shot music writer and Super-Editor, thinking I'm too big and bad to write reviews. But yesterday I was brutally reminded of why I got started in this whole music writing jazz. Mack, The Coffee man! O man, I remember the love, it's all coming back to me. The music, the passion, the artistry, the humility, the music, the love... I'm back, thanks Mack!
Before I start raving, because, yes, this is going to be almost a total rave, I have found very few notable flaws with this album, let's cover the technical crap. Production value: Outstanding, the mix is perfect and the recording quality is fabulous, crystal clear sound, even vocals and instruments. The musical talent is evident, with raw, gritty, and very tight instrumentation, varied use of acoustic and electric guitars, and ricochet cymbal manipulation. The vocals are awesome, with a definite emo quality combined with some old school crooning. Blah, blah, blah, everything is great, let's get on to the heart of the album already.
Ok, this is a cool concept album. It's a split, but not with any other bands! These guys made a split of two of their own EPs!!! How stinkin cool is that??? The first half is called, "Light Pours Through." The second is "The Sun Has Been Cut Out of the Sky." For a total of 12 tracks.
The album grabs you right off the bat with "On the Road," an emotive, melodic, erratic rationalization of sorts, and then kicks in to my personal favorite, "Bob Dylan," a very whimsical emo-ballad complete with power chorus. The album continues with the mournful, worshipful "Every Human Here," and then gently, and often ruckusly, meanders throughout the rest of the heart of Mack. With smart, honest lyrics, and careful, sometimes extravagant, sometimes simple, musical composition, 12 tracks later, you're lost deep in your soul, only to be awoken again by the kiss of a fair maiden or your mom yelling at you to get the crap up and do something, you lazy good-for-nothing loafer! ...Like a good album should be, It's a journey baby.
My only complaints would be that a couple of the songs in the second half are a little too mellow, to the point of being boring, but you only really notice if you are listening off and on. If you immerse yourself in the whole album, even the boring songs blend in to the whole beautiful picture painted by Mack, the Coffee Man. This album is rock n roll, this album is gentle emo, this album is worship, this album is remorse, this album is real, and I think that you would really be missing out if you didn't hunt yourself down a copy. Four and a half cows, because I just know that their next album is going to be even better, and I want to leave them some room to work with.
Check out Mack and order this album at their website: http://welcome.to/mack
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis 1999Reviewed by TimCreative, but just not as catchy as it could be. My guess is that the next record these guys do will be great. This is still worth buying. C+Decapolis 1999Reviewed by ConradVery creative. Great mixture of artsyness, melody and emotion. Highly highly emotional and deep. Some parts are amazingly emotional. Can I fit the word emotional in here again? Yes I can, emotional. BDecapolis 1999Reviewed by dmkOne of the last remaining gems of the early Lancaster scene, Mack brings their live show talents to the studio with a passionate collection of songs that have enough raw energy to fuel a rocket. They blast off with concert favorites and lots of brand new stuff. While it may take forever for a Mack disc to be released, it is definitely worth the wait. If you are looking for a comparison to another…Decapolis 1999Reviewed by Tom / Jim ShadyMack, the Coffee Man is a three piece indie rock band from Lancaster PA, who have been around for about the past 5 1/2 years.. This new album is interesting in that its a split LP with, well, themselves. Their original intention was to release two separate EP's, that were recorded at two separate studios, with two somewhat different sounds. We are glad that they decided to put both EP's onto one…The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Justin W. JonesMack, The Coffee Man must be drinking de-caf. This album lacks all the jitters, on the edge, biting-your-fingernails hyperactivity that normally comes from caffeine. Instead, when you hear them, you are listening to a relaxed indie rock album with a touch of emo -- stirred, not shaken. The result is a good album. I have heard of this band before because they have played with other great indie…Similar sounding releases
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