hey mercedes

loses control

'After a long bought with depression and the continuous struggle to separate past from present, Robert Nanna and company have reemerged with a new Hey Mercedes LP, "Loses Control." The name speaks volumes about the band and their most recent record.

As what appears to be a conscious decision, "Loses" does not congeal into a certain sound. It sways from classic rock to wistful pop to a version of indie-punk that is incompatible with early Hey Mercedes or any Braid material.

The spirit of this record has manifested their mental torment. It speaks of the band's struggles. The loss of one member and the addition of another is apparent. Nanna's sinking battleship of emotions cries out to anyone who will listen. It's a wreck hiding behind a smile. The tenor of the record displays firm composure. It lets the casual listener know that everything is all right, and there is no need to worry. It's a smokescreen or a card trick, showing the band's diversity in their ability to pull off tight and well-structured compositions in a number of different genres.

Most of all it is confusing for fans of Nanna who have followed his path since the Friction days. You're left in a sense of heightened curiosity, wondering what he is going to do next - and why.