This is Mitch Benn's second album with his full band, the Distractions, and it's obvious they are well used to playing together. As Mitch promised me, the last time I was in the studio with him, this album has a darker, more cynical edge to it. And as you lot probably know, a darker edge is not something that I find unpleasant in the slightest.
His targets are musos who have less than genuine reasons for participating in charity events like Live8 on the excellent track 'Waving at the Poor'. He pokes fun at IKEA in the manner of Scandi-metal; evoking visions of Vikings invading with D.I.Y. kit instead of swords and helmets.
There is a wonderful track about the state of political rhetoric in the US at the moment with the country-tinged 'This Ain't Your Country Anymore.'
There is goth, just in time for Halloween, with 'These Ghoulish Things', a nice little kick at Elton John with 'Sometimes You Just Can't Move for Elton John' and of course his conclusions on the present pop scene with 'Everything Sounds like Coldplay Now' (which was the first single).
Eleven tracks and not a turkey amongst ''em... plastic or otherwise. If you like observational musical comedy then Mitch and the Distractions are all you really need. This is brilliant stuff that reminds me of both Tom Lehrer and Stan Freeberg. Mitch is becoming a comedy institution like Rowan Atkinson and the Monty Python lot. Long may he continue.
Rating: 5/5
ed/pub:NB
Article comments
1 - Johnathan Pearce
I heartily endorse what Marty said. Mitch's targets span the political and cultural spectrum. The religious right won't like his song about American political culture, and the left will probably get the vapours over his poke at Live8 and for that matter, the ghastly Coldplay.
I wonder though, whether Mitch wants to continue being known as a brilliant musical satirist? I guess he may want to spread his wings to produce his own original material in future. I hope so. The man has a terrific talent.