MisterWives, in a word, are exciting. Not a lot of bands are going to come together because the lead singer wants an 80’s cover band for her birthday party- and not a lot of bands are going to last much longer after that. But, in a stroke of luck and with an incredibly talented group of musicians, MisterWives started playing shows in early 2013, releasing their debut EP Reflections in January 2014, gathering fans on tours with The Mowglis and later Twenty One Pilots in 2014 in an effort to gear up for their release of Our Own House.
The wait was well worth it. Although the album has several tracks from their original release, the band has pushed an invigorating new breath of fire into every recording and as the titular track plays- it’s the music everyone’s been waiting for. It’s the best blend of pop and alternative that I’ve ever heard, pulling on strong (authentic!) brass and woodwinds and dramatic vocals from Mandy Lee and powerful drums from Etienne Bowler. It’s the music that best friends listen to on the start of a road trip, a theme that continues into “Not Your Way” and previous single “Reflections.”
A Dirty Heads-esque beat leads into “Oceans,” one of my favorite tracks on the album. It’s easy to hear how strong MisterWives are on loud, fast, upbeat tracks that make people dance, but “Oceans” scales back the energy and makes it the perfect breather song for a live show. At the bridge, there’s no words to describe the power that vocalist Mandy Lee has in her voice. Although high and shrill at points, it’s infectious and out of range and in a live setting, positively formidable because it sounds even better than it does recorded.
Revisiting the idea of best friends listening to a song on a road trip, “Hurricane” is the song for an impulsive late night drive, getting lost on winding roads and enjoying the company of someone- the lyrics sing about finding a way to be yourself and be unstoppable, regardless of what others think, and it’s the perfect amount of empowerment that it doesn’t come off as cheesey or lame. “Coffins” tones the album down to a thoughtful, almost somber mood, toeing the careful line between somewhat depressing and simply mournful with unerring delicacy.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wtj2snRuUI[/youtube]“No Need for Dreaming” and “Box Around the Sun” are perfect bookend tracks to one another, both staccato sing along anthems that show the full range of instrumentation that this band is ready, willing, and able to break out with a moment’s notice to those listening. “Imagination Infatuation” continues the dance ready vibe that the previous two tracks have built up, Lee’s strong vocals and the gentle horns from Dr. Blum the perfect, subtle accent that makes the track so unique.
The closing track, “Queens,” gives promise of an incredible sophomore release from this band on the horizon. A homage to where they started (“we always needed work, building castles out of dirt”), it seems to reinforce that MisterWives are just kicking off and though their home will stay in their hearts- they’re ready to travel some serious road and experience everything twice.
There’s not a track on Our Own House that doesn’t hold its own. This album is perfectly curated to show every strength that MisterWives possess and every chance they’re willing to take pays off in the end. It’s an album made to tour on, made to have feet dancing faster than they knew they could, made to listen to on late nights when someone needs a boost to their mood. It’s 2015 and it’s the year of MisterWives, and I’m stoked to be part of the journey.
MisterWives kicks off their headlining tour on February 26th until early April- be sure to catch them in small rooms before you can’t.
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