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Mission Hill - Mission Hill EP
Boston
quartet Mission Hill has built up a significant fan base gigging
relentlessly on the East Coast over the past few years. Shows with
Candlebox, The White Tie Affair and Secondhand Serenade have served to
widen their fan base, but it's the music that wins over fans' hearts
and minds. Introspective and self-conscious by nature, Mission Hill
speaks from the heart on their debut EP,
Mission Hill.
Mission Hill was recently ranked number one on Alternative Addiction's
"Top Ten Unsigned Bands" list, and lead vocalist Adam Jensen won an LA
Music Award for Indie Male Vocalist Of The Year. I suspect that such
accolades are only the tip of the iceberg.
Mission Hill opens with
This Town,
reflecting on a relationship gone wrong and the difficulty of moving
on. The narrator is on the verge of wanting reject all he knows to get
away from all things familiar and escape the pain of losing her. While
Jensen sounds nothing like Michael Stipe (more like a deeper voiced Rob
Thomas), there's a definite REM connection here.
Forever Anyway
is an autobiographical tune about Jensen's love for his hometown that
takes on an almost Americana flavoring. The vocal harmonies here are
phenomenal, and the melody is one that will get stuck in your brain.
Long Time Comin'
is a goodbye song. The narrator has finally had enough and is saying
goodbye. The song is incredibly well written and could have potential
as a Country tune as well as the Rock/Americana arrangement it's
presently in. Don't be surprised to see this song licensed for a
soundtrack somewhere down the line. The best songwriting on the disc is
still to come, however.
Jen (When I Grow Up) is one of the
most mature and introspective love songs you're likely to come across.
This is a definite mix-tape song, though with limited application. If
we did a song of the year category here at Wildy's World this would
have to be in the discussion. Ending with
Down With Young Love,
Mission Hill rocks out for all they're worth; an impressively
high-energy tune that I suspect is a big time favorite in the live show.
Mission
Hill seems destined to transcend their regional status and become a
band with national recognition. The quality of the songwriting and
musicianship combined with the front-man presence of Adam Jensen would
make them a sure thing in a perfect world. Regardless,
Mission Hill is very much worthy of your rapt attention. This is great stuff!
Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)