Independent Music CD Review

Mojave 3
Puzzles Like You
Release Date: June 6, 2006
Genre: Rock/Pop
Label: 4AD - Beggars Group

Mojave 3 began in 1994 with members from Slowdive. Rachel Goswell, Neil Halstead and Ian McCutcheon decided that while distorted, ambient soundscapes were fun, they’d made three albums worth of them, and it was time for a change. They wanted to write simple songs that could be played on an acoustic guitar. In most cases, when a band tries new things, they end up irritating their audiences. This album is the exception to that rule.

Of all of their albums (eleven, if I counted right), Puzzles Like You is probably the most approachable. The sound is fun, infectious, and reflective of the retro-60’s sound that has become quite popular in the UK alt-rock scene these days. The music is light, and very listenable, if a little uneven. Most of the music is excellent. These musicians know how to sing, and how to play, and get the most out of their music. Some of the songs just struck me as being average, though. They just struck me as being “optional” tracks. The vast majority of the tunes are “keepers,” though.

The first track, Truck Driving Man, is what first drove me to buy this album. It’s upbeat and reminiscent of the music coming out of California in the late ‘60s. It’s got almost a “surfer” sensibility without actually being a surfer song. The lyric is typical of the “young man on the road” sensibilities found in that music. The performance is stellar, but I did feel like the vocal was buried a little behind the guitar (or at least it sounded that way in my cheap computer speakers).

Running With Your Eyes Closed is, unfortunately, one of the songs I wasn’t as impressed with. It was well done, and a very cute song, even if the lyric was a bit a bit vapid.  Overall, though, I just wasn’t impressed with it. It was adequate, but just didn’t grab me.

In contrast to the retro sound, along comes Most Days, a sweet piano driven ballade. The singing is lovely. A slight “country” feel invades the guitar parts, surprisingly, but it works very well for this song. The song is not a country and western tune!

Ghost Ship Waiting and is one of the tightest song on the album, in terms of musicianship and production. The beat is infections and the music just got me moving.

You Said it Before caught me with its simple and laid back sound. Along with the rest of the album, it’s proof positive that you don’t need to overproduce a song to get a great sound.

I think that’s what endeared me to this album. This is fun, light, infectious music hearkening us back to a time when there was less to worry us. It’s a sorely needed respite in an increasingly troublesome world.

You can get Mojave 3 music downloads eMusic.