Artist: Mazarin
Album: We’re Already There
Label: I And Ear Records
Web: http://www.mazarinband.com/
Listen: Here
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Repeat after me, “Quentin Stoltzfus”. Say it again, three times fast, “Quentin Stoltzfus, Quentin Stoltzfus, Quentin Stoltzfus.” You need to work on repeating this name until you get it right. Why, you ask? Well, better now than latter, this name is destined to be of the household variety.
Quentin Stoltzfus is the brains behind the still mostly-under-the-radar, dream pop outfit “Mazarin”, which has recently released its third full-length album after two and a half years of writing, recording and tweaking.
“We’re Already There” is a tasty, pop nugget that’s about as irresistible as an elf-clad puppy on Christmas day. If this record was a fruit smoothie it would be 25% Neutral Milk Hotel, 25% Posies and 25% Stone Roses with the remaining 25% consisting of some otherworldly ingredient not yet discovered by humans. A blank canvass of simple chord progressions and groovy beats is painted with succulent, but airy melody and then glazed with electronic chimes, bells, swishes and bleeps. The resulting work of art is then buffed to a high-gloss sheen, which demands attention and at times requires sunglasses to avert the brightness.
In addition to our main man Stoltzfus, Mike Walker plays bass, Sean Byrne adds drums, and Philadelphia multi-instrumentalist Brian McTear throws all kinds of sound into the mix using various instruments. The Lilys lend Kurt Heasley and Walt Martin of the Walkmen also appear on the disc.
I liked the album right off the bat, but after my third listen, “We’re Already There” has become even more impressive. It’s jangly, it’s hypnotic, it’s melodic, and it’s almost perfect.
The stream of conscious feeling that runs throughout the record has a euphoric effect that’s hard to find anywhere short of elicit drugs. The only downside I could hear is that the lyrics don’t pop. The imagery is created by the music with the lyrics taking a back seat. Don’t get me wrong, the lyrics are not bad, but Stoltzfus’ interesting phrasing and the mix both contribute to keeping the words in the back of the bus. That is, until you stand up and take a good hard look around. After you hear “We’re Already There” you wouldn’t want it any other way.
If you’re a dream pop or noise pop fan, my recommendation is borrow, beg or steal. Do whatever it takes to make this recording a part of your life.
Robert Burke spends much of his time lovingly crafting tematic playlists at the Rhapsody Radish.
Article comments
1 - Lori
Unfortuneately for this band, the original "Mazarin" is a band from NYC who was been performing since the 1970s. The band you are referring to is about to be in hot legal water!