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When I think of the Minneapolis music scene I think of three things: The Replacements, First Avenue and The Melismatics. Their latest release “MANIA!” has the quality to make them a huge commercial success. So why aren’t they?
No strangers to the Minneapolis music scene. These Indie rockers have been an underground treasure waiting to be discovered;slowly catching our ear with songs such as “Digging Deep” and “Soul Sucker” off of their 2008 album “The Acid Test”. Catching interest on college radio with their first album “Postmodern Rock”, The Melismatics are now catching a fire with their latest release “MANIA!” on Pravda Records. “MANIA!” is a combination of electro pop and dance music infused with catchy 2 part harmonies and vocal hooks that make for a very addictive dance record.
Stand out tracks “Lost the Feeling”, “Your Love is a Poison”, “Out of Yer Mind” and “Divided Devotions (DRA MIX)” are synth-pop candy! Chunky bass, Ryan and Pony’s perfectly mixed dual vocals, and well written, upbeat songs make you want to get your butt out of your seat. This album has musical energy from beginning to end.
Track Listing:
Track 1: Face to Face
Track 2: Lost the Feeling
Track 3: Your Love is a Poison
Track 4: Out of Yer Mind
Track 5: Divided Devotions
Track 6: Smoke and Mirrors
Track 7: In Droves
Track 8: Puzzle Missing Pieces
Track 9: Theez Days (It’s All About Everything)
Track 10: All Behind Us Now
Track 11: {Bonus Track} Divided Devotions (Dra Remix)
What else can we expect from these Minneapolis rockers? The 10th anniversary of their “Postmodern Rock’ album is being re-released all re-mastered with previously unreleased tracks. So keep your eyes open for that. In the meantime you can hear Melismatics music on MTV’s “The Hills,” “The City” and “Laguna Beach” as well as NBC’s “Windfall”, and Animal Planet’s “Jockeys”.
The Melismatics are:
Ryan Smith (Vocals and Guitar)
Kathie (Pony) Hixon-Smith (Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar)
Mark Wade (Bass)
Ron Caron (Drums)
Recommended Tracks: 2, 3, 4 &11
Sounds like: Young London, and Amesoeurs
MANIA! CD Release Party
What: The Melismatics
Opening Acts: Sick of Sarah, Jon Auer (of The Posies and Big Star), and Transmission DJ Jake Rudh.
When: Friday, February 24th 8pm
Where: The Ritz Theater in Minneapolis
Tickets: $10. In advance
Website: http://melismatics.com/ for more info