Another very catchy batch of emo/punk sensibilities from this Indiana band that will drive your head into a frenzied bop that just wont stop. Every song on “The Record Play” is constructed in a linear fashion with nearly the same tempo, allowing an individual to more easily notice the subtle currents running through the entirety of the disc. “Nothing to Write” is the beginning of when the disc becomes something more that the sum of its parts, as the bass lines mix excellent with the guitars during the track. While a great deal of the cd does happen to follow the same soul-seeking formula that has brought bands so much success in the past, Mock Orange does also experiment a great deal, making what could potentially be a very boring album something that is at its worst endearing. The only thing that is lacking with “The Record Play” is the lack of a standout single. While a number of songs have short moments that bring them above the mire of the rest of the disc, the fact is that no one specific track makes one just want to pick up the disc. While each track is beautifully rendered and utterly inoffensive to the human ear, nothing really innovates and nothing really catches my ear.
Top Tracks : None Really
Rating : 5.4/10
Mock Orange – The Record Play / 10 Tracks / 2001 Lobster Records / http://www.lobsterecords.com / http://www.mockorange.net / Reviewed 10.07.2003
John Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder and editor-in-chief of NeuFutur Magazine, where he has covered independent music, PC hardware, consumer tech, and gaming culture since 1998. With over 25 years of continuous digital publishing experience, he has written thousands of hands-on game and record reviews, conducted in-depth hardware field testing, and analyzed digital media monetization trends. His work prioritizes first-hand evaluation and long-term product testing.
Beats: Independent Music, PC Gaming & Peripherals, Consumer Tech, Webmaster Tools
Testing & Ethics: All hardware, software, and media reviews are conducted through hands-on evaluation in accordance with NeuFutur’s editorial independence standards; sponsored consideration is strictly excluded from editorial ratings.
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