Mri (lyrics, drum, pop, punk, reggae)

[ninaNirvana]

I should have put my album review here 1st :-) in Indie/Alt. I could have avoided all that trouble. :-) Anyway, as far as 'indie' bands go MRI is probably the quintessence of 'indie'. They own their own label (Xyen Records) and are currently working with Eric Greedy who produced Hurt Vol 1 & 2.

Helicopter Head single

The have a small but growing audience; they even have been 'covered' already with fans posting their renditions of "Helicopter Head" to youTube:

YouTube - Helicopter head cover


here is the original video by MRI:
YouTube - "Helicopter Head" MRI Music Video


Xyen Records Video Channel:
YouTube - XyenRecords's Channel

I'm obviously a big fan but I have seen this band evolve in FL for over 6 years: check them out...all their songs don't sound like Alice In Chains anymore; they have evolved out of that stage for the most part, I think, into a more (early stage) Radiohead-ish Indie spirit. The songs are all different sounding and intriguing now. I am curious to what the Indie crowd here thinks as well.

Cheers!

-Nina :-)

[Oedipus Next]

Originally Posted by Wifey Boozer

The horizon is just an imaginary line that recedes as you approach it.

well said WB!

Anyway Nina I finally had the time to read through all this. Phew! Fun thread. As for the review itself; great job: you have such passion in your writing. The tracklisting critiques were excellent! Zana always said you had great ears!

Also, it actually isn't half as bad as you made it out to be when you
emailed us about the title. I see how they kinda trapped you into "reading into it" but this may be my only constructive criticism on your review as well: you got way too defensive when people suggested that it was a dumb album title. I understand that during the interview we played around with some fun ideas but we never really answered the question, did we...and that is my fault for rambling (I didn't know all this was destined for a thread on the Internet)

I can see how people may think it's a dumb title-- but debating it with anyone
is a waste of time -- it simply is what it is and just like '...happiness is a warm gun', Where Parallel Lines Meet can mean anything or nothing at all & can be argued about to infinity.

I feel bad that I didn't really know you were waging a fierce debate when I posted the 'Official Meaning' on our blog or I would have maybe worded it differently...but all in all it's of no consequence as people are going to think
what they think and that's just life; artists and journalists need to understand that if they are to be effective communicators in their medium. Can't please everybody.

[jackhammer]

The track 'Helicopter Head' did absolutely nothing for me I'm afraid and if you have been getting Alice In Chains comparisons in the past then that's probably why as I cannot stand those 'melodious' grunge bands.

[Oedipus Next]

Originally Posted by jackhammer

The track 'Helicopter Head' did absolutely nothing for me I'm afraid and if you have been getting Alice In Chains comparisons in the past then that's probably why as I cannot stand those 'melodious' grunge bands.

hey jack-

That's a completely valid criticism and I understand
how 'melodic grunge' {well put; I give you that ;p} will polarize listeners.

Also you have a mature taste in music and eclectic one too as evidenced by your Skinny Puppy thread and others I have read by you and I thought were cool.

I'll PM you with a few recommendations; I would guess you would be much more into the mini EP with ska, techno, and experimental music.

Thanks for taking the time to listen - I have taken the band away from much of the AIC influence, "Helicopter Head" is one of the few remaining exceptions ;-)

[ninaNirvana]

Originally Posted by jackhammer

The track 'Helicopter Head' did absolutely nothing for me I'm afraid and if you have been getting Alice In Chains comparisons in the past then that's probably why as I cannot stand those 'melidious' grunge bands.

Mr. Jack Hammer!

I must say I am a bit disappointed Ha Ha :-) because I wanted you to like them! BUT I have to respect your opinion and as Daren pointed out "melodious" grunge bands are a matter of musical preference, Nirvana and Alice In Chains being some of my favorite of all time bands so I fall on one side of the spectrum.

I wanted to apologize to Daren too for being "too defensive" :-) concerning the album title. I am guilty of being too excited over the album in general as it has already been pointed out! Ha Ha

I emailed the band's manager for more tracks they said the entire album is available off their website but when I checked I saw that it is only MP3s, except for the Singles which are full DVD/CD quality download which I am assuming you listened to already. Maybe, Mr. Hammer :-) I can get you some more music that is new. So many songs don't sound like 'Helicopter Head', I think before you write them off completely you should listen to more material. I am not as huge a fan as the more "Experimental Music" but it may be something you would like. I am thinking you might like the Reggae stuff too. Or not :-) And that is also fine! I won't get "defensive" :-) I promise!

Did you listen to "The Beautiful & Dangerous?" I thought maybe you would enjoy the hard-rocking song it has an 'untamed' quality like a cool live track should have. Great guitars! Also "Under The Ground" because it has your name in the lyrics LOL My goal is to get you to like at least one song before the end of the year! :-)

OK all kidding aside, thanks again for your POV. I respect it very much even if I don't agree.


-NN

[jackhammer]

I will listen to their other tracks- did u say that they are on the website?

[ninaNirvana]

Originally Posted by jackhammer

I will listen to their other tracks- did u say that they are on the website?

Yes! In fact I just PM'd you something that Daren wrote to me about the new single ( "CUT" ) that is up on the website as a high quality download.

I am prepared for you to label some of this song as "melodious grunge" but if you look beyond the sing-song chorus there is a sick and twisted, chaotic NIN element to this in the verses & fade out ending that may appeal to you more. The fact that the song seems to be about self-injury and self-harm ( people who are 'cutters' ) is pretty intense subject matter IMO. Neat guitars in this and overall production is top notch. I think Daren intimated that he sent you the link already but I will post it here for others to check out:

MRI - DOWNLOAD "CUT"


"Helicopter Head" and "The Beautiful And Dangerous" are on the site too as good quality audio file-single releases.

Thanks, Mr. Jack Hammer!!!

-NN

[jackhammer]

I have just checked out 'Cut'. I thought that the vocals and guitars dominate the sound so you cannot hear the drum tracks hardly at all, but maybe there is compression on the track? I disliked the harmonic vocals but then the riffs changed up a gear and I love those. They have a disorientating feel that should have been used more.

[Oedipus Next]

Originally Posted by jackhammer

I have just checked out 'Cut'. I thought that the vocals and guitars dominate the sound so you cannot hear the drum tracks hardly at all, but maybe there is compression on the track? I disliked the harmonic vocals but then the riffs changed up a gear and I love those. They have a disorientating feel that should have been used more.

hey jack- you have a good set of ears: I agree with you about the drum mix on that version. In fact, imo you listened to the "tamer" of the mixes we did. I made a few mixes and what I did in response to your valid criticism is have our webby upload a much more drum- presence rockin version to the CUT download page. I think if you were to compare the new download you will
hear a positive difference in terms of drum dynamics

I can appreciate your not liking the vocal harmonies; I simply enjoy a lush vox layering like Queen- Freddy Mercury or Alice In Chains at times for dramatic- larger than life effect. The melodic harmonies, for me, worked as a great contrast against the more 'demonic' spoken word and screamed parts and discordant heavy guitars. The vocals took a while to record- there are 4 to 5 harmonies that are each tripled so thats 12-15 tracks of vocal going on at once
at all times in the sing-songy parts etc.. If you don't like that style of vocals in general it's easy to see how you don't enjoy it the way I do of course LOL

Its cool with me bro just check out the newer download if ya get a chance at least you'll have a better mix for yer collection ;-)

[ninaNirvana]

Originally Posted by jackhammer

I have just checked out 'Cut'. I thought that the vocals and guitars dominate the sound so you cannot hear the drum tracks hardly at all, but maybe there is compression on the track? I disliked the harmonic vocals but then the riffs changed up a gear and I love those. They have a disorientating feel that should have been used more.

Ok Mr. Jack Hammer :-) so my goal is to try to find an MRI track that you like before the end of 2009 Ha Ha. After cogitating about it a lot; I think maybe switching gears completely may help. Do you like bands like The Police and Sublime? I mean; do you like reggae influenced/ slow ska influenced songs? A song not on the album, but is up on their new myspace ( myspace.com/MRIspace ) called "Diary Of A Mad Cow" might interest you. The drumming has heavy Stuart Copeland influence and guitars sound like Andy Summers. Lots of "air and space" in the mix. Intriguing subject matter as well. I am curious what you may think when you have time to give it a listen. It has a "Rastafari" vibe in the verses and the chorus is very unique almost a Latin Smashing Pumpkins feel w/ drums and unique vocals...overall it reminds me of The Police circa their "Wrapped Around Your Finger" days -- very Sting-esq basslines toward the end too. I can also hear "Pawnshop" by Sublime in the influence.

-NN