Mint
American Style
»
Mint
American Style
Independent, 2001
RiYL: The Clash, Weezer |
Formed in NYC, this astute trio crafts simple, stripped-down pop songs that contain nothing more than the essential components. Think of Mint's songwriting style as a go-kart in a world of musical cars. While a car has a roof, a stereo and air conditioning, the go-kart has just the essentials: an engine, a seat and a steering wheel. That sort of simplicity dominates American Style. The songs rarely go longer than three and a half minutes, and once the band has made its point, they end the song. The absence of slick production gives the record a very genuine feel.
Nickles is a gifted songwriter. Setting his sights on everything from pop culture and society to love and heartbreak, Nickles strays from clichés and keeps his lyrics fresh and witty without sacrificing his ability to write great hooks. "Pierced & Tattooed," a rejection of the dress-up-like-a-freak-to-be-in-the-cool-clique mentality, is a good example of his abilities with the lines "Don't give me up / I'll make the cut / But do I got to get pierced and tattooed just to sit next to you / Do I have to be bleached and dyed to be by your side?" While Mint's originals are strong, their cover of Madonna's "Into The Groove" is great. Laced with pop-punk riffs, the song works well on the album and probably kills during their live shows.
American Style is a real gem, and a refreshing take on the tired pop-punk genre. Nickles and Co. have made a great album without the use of studio tricks or gimmicks. It is too bad more bands can't survive on the basics of strong songwriting and musicianship like Mint.
KEVIN MAURER |