13 May 2021

THE ROUTES – Mesmerised (2021, LP/CD Bickerton Records/Action Weekend Records)

 

 

RELEASE INFO:

Label: Bickerton Records / Action Weekend Records

Format: LP, Album, Limited Edition, Black Vinyl, 400 copies

Format: LP, Album, Limited Edition, Red Translucent Vinyl, 100 copies

Format: CD, Album, Limited Edition, Digipack, 200 copies

Release Date: 9 April 2021

 

Chris Jack’s The Routes are releasing their 8th album since 2007 and this is what the informative release sheet has to say:

“Mesmerised” is the newest LP by The Routes, the group helmed by Scots-born, Japanese-dwelling guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Chris Jack. This also happens to be the eighth long-playing record to bear the group’s name; one that has been steadily growing in stature and stamina since their earliest outpourings more than ten years ago. “Mesmerised” is also one of the most powerful statements of sixties-influenced, modernistically executed garage beat rock’n’roll. On this brand new collection Chris is joined by two names familiar to Routes aficionados, drummer Bryan Styles who can be heard on 2019’s Tune Out, Switch Off, Drop In (and also on Miles To Go the exceptional solo LP Chris recorded most recently for Action Weekend) and bass player Toru Nishimuta who, aside from also appearing on Tune Out… played on the group’s 2007 debut Left My Mind.
The recordings were undertaken in both Japan and England, and mixed and mastered by Chris Jack. As Chris is a major fan of Guided By Voices, Courtney Latta (who designed GBV’s “Mirrored Aztec” album cover) was brought on board to create the cover for “Mesmerised”.
With “Mesmerised” Chris, Bryan and Toru have made a remarkable album that’s as high on energy as it is routed in verve and vitality. The songs tackle a variety of sounds that are fresh on their minds and they utilise a variety of different styles, all to good effect; the subject matter for one or two will no doubt be apparent in what for us all has, obviously, been a year like no other; lockdowns, loneliness, isolation, rules and unprecedented restrictions. But now let Japan’s the Routes take you off into a real fun place with this great, truly memorable new album, driven by the triple-barreled attitudes of garage, beat and punk!

So, what we have here, is 10 tracks, 32 minutes of High Energy Garage-y Rock n’ Roll, it’s guitar-based dynamic music inspired by 2 of the greatest decades of music, the 60s, and the 70s, of course! “Mesmerised” kicks off with “Broken Goods”, Garage-Rock powered by an early 70s Stooges punky aesthetic! “Society” is a super Groovy punkadelic tune, that could easily have been taken straight out of a Punk Unknown 60s comp! “Two Steps Ahead” is drenched into late 70s American punk-rock with an Anglo touch while “I’m Sorry” is a brilliant amalgam of US teen punk and UK freakbeat! The self-titled “Mesmerised” is another superb track where 2 worlds collide! American Garage meets English Beat, but outside the 60s, in the 70s territory! “The World’s At Fault” is a punk-rocker coming straight out of The Psychedelic Stooges first days while “Leave My Bed” is a modernized punk-rocker. “Used To” is one hell of a tune! A torturously US Garage anthem with a punkish hazy attitude! “Foot In Mouth” stands at the edge of the early 80s post-punk scene while eventually, the album closes with a killer track called “Blink Of An Eye”, late 70s punk meets the late 60s freakbeat, a mesmerizing combination! “Mesmerised” is a cool blender LP, mixing Garage, Punk, Beat, British Invasion, Hard Blues, and Rock n’ Roll! Get your copy now! TimeLord Michalis

Tracklist

A1 Broken Goods 3:41
A2 Society 3:04
A3 I’m Sorry 3:25
A4 Mesmerised 3:00
A5 Two Steps Ahead 3:12
B1 Blink Of An Eye 3:17
B2 The World’s At Fault 2:49
B3 Leave My Bed 3:05
B4 Used To 3:31
B5 Foot In Mouth 3:02

 

 

Listen/Buy the album through BICKERTON RECORDS Bandcamp

 

Listen/Buy the album through ACTION WEEKEND RECORDS Bandcamp

 

Visit THE ROUTES Facebook

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Response

  1. Pingback : TimeMachine Productions » THE ROUTES – Instrumentals II (2021, LP Groovie Records) 

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