Mystery Jets - Twenty One [ALBUM]
 

I was terrified when news got around that Mystery Jets were ready to release their second album. Perhaps petrified further when it arose that mash-up queen Erol Alkan was in line to part produce this next record, especially after lending my ears to his uninspiring rework of the Jets’ initially amazing earlier single “Zootime”. In fact, debut LP release “Making Dens” was so compellingly flawless that I almost wished the Twickenham-based four-piece would never even attempt that notoriously difficult second coming, and leave me able to soak up their glorious first-offering with no ‘buts’ in my mind for evermore. Thank God I am not in charge of such things – for “Twenty One” is, thankfully, all I’d hoped for and more.

Despite the cheesy intro of what sounds like looped air-raid siren samples, the quirky quality I’d expect from the new-wave progsters runs right from opening track “Hideaway”. Even though the band’s trademark improv-inspired no-frills sound prevails throughout it’s fascinating to listen to their shrewd approach to songwriting. Interesting musical ideas and deliberate, clever harmonies are bound together by lead singer Blaine Harrison’s clear-cut yet vulnerable howls; lyrics are witty and concise and 100% brilliantly singalong-able. “Veiled in Grey” is a personal favourite, a soaring social commentary that highlights the stiff-upper-lip mentality of Britain today and our inability to deal with sensitive subjects, with scintillating references to spotting pink elephants at the end of the bed... generally, you couldn’t ask for a more British sounding record(!), which some may find tiresome, and it could be argued that maybe the Jets’ haven’t developed their sound as much as they could have done second time around. However, singles “Young Love”, “Half in Love with Elizabeth” and the wickedly 80s-inspired “Two Doors Down” are definitely more commercially-produced than earlier releases and it’s evident that the band now has the confidence and strength to drive themselves to new floors and new audiences, which I reckon should be commended and not criticised. Whatever your opinion, “Twenty One” is at the very least worth 59 minutes of your time! (If you can, get hold of the newer edition of the album which features a cover of Aztec Camera’s “Somewhere In My Heart” – such an uncalled-for cover, but so worth it!)

Re: Mystery Jets - Twenty One [ALBUM]
 

I wish they were better.
The Mystery Jets are from Eel Pie Island in Twickenham. I lived near the island and in Twickenham for the three years I spent at uni. As a result I am quite nostalgic about the place and finding out that a band from there have released an album this weeks fills me with happy thoughts... and then I listen to the album.


It’s not something that I really want to associate with a place that I hold so close to my heart. If they were just another uninteresting indie band then it wouldn’t be as bad because I could just disregard them and move on, but I think that this album is pretty bad.
All the songs are very similar and the singers voice drills into you a bit too much, like they have the treble up too much.


Listen to this album: While stood on Eel Pie Island looking at the house with all the dolls in the garden.


43%

Re: Mystery Jets - Twenty One [ALBUM]
 

I love their Aztec Camera cover! But I loved the original too.