Mouthwash - True Stories [Re-release Album]

Rebel Alliance

Having never fully understood the Ska scene, it is quite difficult to compare and contrast a band like this one. Ska just reminds me of catchy drum beats, clingy guitar chords and those annoying kids that think they are hard because they have a tattoo or a piercing. Punk on the other hand holds a greater respect in my book. Any man woman or child that can pull off the fully committed Mohawk needs a medal, you know one of those hair-doo’s that are fooking massive. The only thought that crosses your mind is not shock as to what it looks like, but the sheer precision and amount of hairspray that has gone into it. The biggest band that springs to mind when talking about Ska/Indie/Punk rock are Reel Big Fish, again not a fan. However, the refreshing sounds that swirl out of Mouthwash leave your ears fresh for up to 24 hours.

The band still stick to the basics, but mix it up with some cross breeding influences. 'True Stories' does take a little while to get into having such a strange style of Ska. One could say that it is definitely a grower as their mix of deep dirty bass lines and Bloc Party guitar riff's throw you off balance. The album is a re-release from back in 2008, which could probably be due to them just not being right for that time and hoping to push it big this year. This is definitely a thumbs up from a new listener to the genre.

Distorted bass lining their way into the starting track "Ask And It Is Given" confuses you into thinking this is no ordinary Ska/Punk band. Sure enough after some drone's and nearly off key guitar lines Mouthwash kick into the infamous simple fast pace drum pattern. As mentioned previously the whole album has a Bloc Party guitar feel, this shows up especially on "N68" having a riff very similar to Bloc Parties "Helicopter". They also use heavy reverberated high pitched harmonies and delays on the guitar.

The reggae influences show through on some tracks, this is very subtle and works perfectly with Mouthwash's whole sound. "Everyday Feelin'" has a more mellow pace to it featuring laid back beats infamous in reggae, the same goes for "Atlantic Rd.". Some of the tracks on 'True Stories' are ridiculously catchy, "No Fear", "Everyday Feelin'" and "That Girl" have you singing along in no time at all.

'True Stories' is a well titled album, as all twelve tracks conjure up images of travelling through the streets and the goings on of everyday life. Mouthwash have a story to tell, and I'm definitely listening to it.

Listen to: 1. Ask And It Is Given, 3. No Fear, 7. Everyday Feelin', 11. Dark Was The Night

Tracks:
1. Ask And It Is Given
2. A Face In The Crowd
3. No Fear
4. N 68
5. The Sound
6. That Girl
7. Everyday Feelin'
8. What I Don't Know
9. Southbound
10. Atlantic Rd.
11. Dark Was The Night
12. Hazy Days

Have a listen: http://www.myspace.com/mouthwashlondon