Mutineers | Review

The story of Mutineers is one that reaffirms your faith about real music being created by real people.  This is the second review this week of a proper musical story, following on from that of Daystar. If by chance you have been underwhelmed by manufactured acts formed on television talent (?) shows, this is one to put a smile back on your face and a tune or two in your ears.

Three years ago, four mates, each possessing a strong musical history anyway decided to form Mutineers. James Mallins, formerly of Cardinals joined with Iwan Gronow, from Haven and Johnny Marr’s Healers, Michael Reed and Jack Mitchell, and they have produced a fine album in the shape of “Friends, Lovers, Rivals”.

Instantly apparent is that aside from a strong and well composed sound overall, this album is tremendous lyrically. Captivating from start to finish due to firstly, Mallins’ tones and unmistakable individuality of voice, and secondly courtesy of lyrical depth. Covering, unsurprisingly friends, lovers and rivals as well as self observation and opinion, the sound here is deeply personal and joyously uncontrived in anyway, put in simplest terms, it’s real.

You can see a deep understanding between Gronow and Mitchell which lays the rhythm foundation across every track, whilst the sometimes delicate, often furious guitar sounds of Reed adds another layer to a sound where all parts complement each other. A sound that can be both melodic and energetic, Mutineers have developed a winning formula, which will for sure over time mature into a staple part of many music collections.

Personally, the final track “Hyde Road” is a particular highlight. Atmospheric and a progressive building of sound from a subdued start to a meteoric rise towards the end, including the emotion capturing lyric “She said you can’t see me without my makeup on, I thought you’ve never looked better”, a standout point in an oracle of lyrical class.

Not in keeping with the raft of current artists inspired by and now laden themselves with synth led 1980’s sounds, not that I dislike that, Mutineers are different. Their myspace page lists inspiration from Bowie, The Cure, Roxy Music, Talking Heads amongst others, and there is a definite understanding of Mutineers link to such esteemed company when you listen to this record.

There won’t be a mutiny here, once you sample this, you’ll be hooked.