Movies with Heroes

Item: Years
Author: Clara Sayre

Years

(2003)

Reviewed by Clara Sayre

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Label Urban Achievers RecordsDecapolisSeptember 2003

alternative rock indie rock power pop

WHO is this review about?

Movies with Heroes (aka the late Mack, the Coffee Man), who hail from Pennsylvania and are:
Keith Wilson - Vocals, Guitar
Chiemena Ukazim - Guitar
Jeff Royer - Bass, Vocals
Jeremy Bentley - Drums

WHO actually played on the record?

Good question. According to the booklet that came with the cd, this cd is a mixture of a lot of people: Jeremy Bentley, Jeff Royer, Keith Wilson, John Donohue (guitar and french horn), Daniel French (guitar), Daryl Hirsch (keys), Beverly Jo Shirk-Wilson (vocals), Jay Sorrentino (keys and percussion), Mike Ibarra, Jamie Krause, John Lucca, Jason Sherman, Dave Timblin, Sarah Timblin, Brian Wenger, Dave Wilson (vocals). Whew.

WHERE can I find more info?

Label: Urban Achievers Records
Released: July 1, 2003
More info: http://www.movieswithheroes.com

WHY should I bother buying it?

Here's the deal. This cd is a culmination of everything that IS Movies with Heroes. As they say in the liner notes, this "is a look back at our growth and musical evolution as a band..." and what better cd to pick up than something that gives you a taste of where the band has been and where it's heading?

There's a good rock feel to Years. And with that many musicians and singers contributing, there is a thickness in instrumentation and sound not found in all records. Royer and Wilson lend strong leading vocals that carry each song to its finish. This is not to ignore the excellent melodies, which range from a fast rock feel to a slower, almost Beatle-esque feel. Backing vocals, rich with harmonies, complement the overall intensity of each song.

This is a definite pick-up. For former fans of Mack, the Coffee Man, current fans of everything MWH has done in the past and present, and for future fans, who haven't had the chance to experience an MWH show or record, this is for you. The friendship between the musicians in this band is evident...you can feel what they've been through and envision what they'll bring next.

WHO did that amazing artwork?

The beautiful artwork that makes up the visual aspect of this record was painted by Janell Olah and the layout was done by coldwarkids.com. There is much to say about this simple design. The art is reminiscent of watercolor paintings done by children yet intricately complex enough to remind oneself of ink blots, with various people seeing different images in each one. Colors used are autumn colors: browns, yellows, reds, etc. which draw the eyes immediately to the album. It's a beautiful layout for an album of nostalgia.