Review: The Mire – Volume I

Again we’re branching out of the rock world!  It seems to be my task here at Emurg, one that I enjoy greatly.  Today we take a gander (and a listen) at the band The Mire.  The Mire hails from Brighton UK. . . yes yes I do realize that Brighton is pretty close to France, but don’t let that fool you, these guys know how to rock.  The Mire describe themselves as both “rock” and “progressive,” and while I do not disagree with this per say, I think I would be more inclined to call them “post rock.”  I’m sure someone out there will tell me I’m wrong or correct me, but I often think we spend too much time worrying about genres when we could be thinking about how the music feels and what it means!   This British foursome doesn’t list any influences on their Myspace page, which I think is pretty cool (maybe they just forgot to and I’m reading too much into this), but I couldn’t help but be reminded of Isis and Cult of Luna.  For those of you out there that are into post rock you know that this is high praise.

Some of you out there may not have a whole lot of experience with this genre, so lets do things a little different than usual.  First I want you to go to The Mire’s myspace page at www.myspace.com/themireuk.  Ok, are you there yet?  Good.  Now play the first track called “Wheelwalker” and listen to it while you read the rest of the review.  If you’re sneaking a peek at Emurg at work or class and can’t listen I guess you’ll just have to wait until you get home.  Don’t forget, it’s well worth it.

“Wheelwalker” is one of only two tracks on this album.  Initially I thought it would be tough to review an album with only two tracks, but these have enough depth to give me sufficient material to write about.  ”Wheelwalker begins with a slow and plodding guitar riff that sets the mood immediately.  The word “mire” describes this feeling perfectly doesn’t it?  I ask because I know you’re still listening.  These guys couldn’t have picked a better name.  As you’ve probably noticed this song is rhythmic and slow moving.  The great thing about this style is that the musicians are less worried about instantly capturing your attention with a shredding guitar riff or a lead singer belting some high notes, and are more focused on creating a complete song that builds like a crescendo to perfection.   The song begins with that plodding, crushing, dark guitar, adds gruff rasping roars, then haunting singing.  Pay close attention to the way elements like these are added one by one to create the full effect of the track.  This trend continues with volume and guitar tone changes that set up the return to the original heavy riff.  Though its tough to understand the lyrics without reading along, The Mire was kind enough to clue us in on the context of this song.  Their label’s website (www.eyesofsound.com) discloses the story:  ”The tale of a man cursed with immortality forced to act as voyeur to the Earth’s collapse.”  Like the music, their lyrics seem cryptic but are effective in painting a mood and image in your subconsciouses.  The lyrics are also posted on their Myspace site:

The bandages of your lover only conceal
A heart of arms and famine
A walker of the wheel
So frail and weak
In too deep again
The suffering of our mother
Poisoned by her child
Up to our knees in madness
Wading through the mire
Caught in the holy throws of ether
Stumbling along a lonely highway
Weeping for my love, my only Earth
The hell that we made,
The hell we made in our own image

The music and the lyrics fit the story perfectly don’t they?  On to “Fears,” which is the second track on this album.  If you haven’t started playing it yet, you should!  Since I don’t have the lyrics to this song I can’t say for certain what the story or message is.  The vocals are easier to understand than in “Wheelwalker,” but I don’t want to get them wrong, so I’ll leave it up to you to interpret them.  Again The Mire employs a slow steadily building style that leaves you with a specific feeling when the song finishes.  The middle of “Fears” has some clean singing that wasn’t featured at all in the first track.  These rock-like vocals didn’t mesh with the music for me as well as the haunting melodies of “Wheelwalker” did, so I was happy when the eerie harmonies returned for the outro.  The outro is a fantastic mood setter that I didn’t want to end.

For a debut album, Robin Urbino (vocals/guitar), Ben Cupidi (guitar), Tom Begley (bass), and Eugene Economou (drums), have offered up a gem.  I think The Mire should be given a serious look regardless of your style tastes.  If you’re new to this style or usually don’t like it, I think theres a good chance The Mire will grow on you because of their uncanny ability to capture ghostly and mysterious moods.  By the way, their album available for free download at their label’s site:  http://www.eyesofsound.com/label/downloads.php.  I will be waiting anxiously for The Mire to release a full length album.

I wrote this review a little differently than normal.   We love opinions from readers, please let me know if you’d like to see more  genres or reviews like this.  Feel free to leave a comment!

Check Out These Too!

1. The Mire
2. Review: Parmalee – Complicated EP
3. Review: The Veer Union – EP
4. Review: Age of Daze – Hollywood Ending