It's the review of the third ep by The Mimmos
Don't let the mundane title fool you. I'm pretty hyped for this one. This is The Mimmos' third EP, third EP, and that title is one of the many reasons The Mimmos have been a stand out band for me ever since their first EP, Rowboat, and technically before that as well, which is how they get grandfathered in as "game music" for this "game music blog"
Once again the Pennsylvania based duo of Amanda and Matt Caucci bring us five tracks of soft, sometimes lofi, melodic rock tracks. It's really difficult for me to believe their last album was way back in 2017. Of course, anything before 2020 feels pretty distant now, but also for the fact that I bumped that little The Mimmos EP for years, basically up to, and alongside this latest release.
The third EP starts strong with a full band line up of steady drums, a powerful bass line, and softly spiraling guitars that lead into those oceanic lyrics I'm so fond of. The ebb and flow of this track feels like gentle tides on the beach. The subject matter on the other hand is a little darker. Getting lost beneath the ocean and embracing the darkness of sinking, and being yanked to the surface at the last possible moment.
““Tell them I’m ok.
I’m Alive, anyway
and shaking
tell them I’m ok
I’m alive
I’m alive and shaking””
It's such a good chorus on this track and I want to dig deep into it. She survived the experience. She's okay, well, she's not okay, but at least she's alive. Alive, and shaking, but shaking from the cold and the near death experience, or shaking from what lead her to jumping into the ocean in the first place.
I think the second verse gives us some of the background and thought process that led up to the events of the first verse. A lot of good lines in the lyrics of this song. The vocals fit within the rest of the instruments do a good job of placing the song on a cold, overcast stretch of empty beach.
The Middle Ground grows quickly into a funky groove pontificating on the value of choosing the middle ground. Tons of imagery in the lyrics. I think. The Mimmos only included lyrics on the first track, so everything after this is my unofficial interpretation. A synth keyboard pops in and out, giving things a more surreal mood that matches lyrics about how packs of dogs, rats, and humans make use of that middle ground. The drums are a real driving force of this song, building intensely in key moments.
Everything closes in those spaced out synths and we are now listening to Mosquito Vs. Man. Those upbeat high notes kick things off before fading into a soft island tune with soothing maracas and those simple but solid bass and guitar riffs. The whole track takes on a dream like atmosphere thanks to all the chill vibes this song puts out.
Escape from Alcatraz is not a metaphor. We are escaping tonight! But when the life of a prisoner is all you know, can you really escape into the unknown? The music even takes on the claustrophobic tone of a maximum security prison, with short, deep notes and an intense drum line. The keys help bring a more adventurous tone to this soundtrack to a prison break out.
The third ep comes to a close with Unfinished Masterpiece. It feels appropriate that this is the final track. I wonder how many of my favorite albums were delayed repeatedly to get that last track just right. This song feels extra upbeat about it all, with lots of playful keys and vocals layering the track. The extra touch of production also feels very meta when making a song about an unfinished song that has to be perfect.
It's also enjoyable as a long time listener to hear their shifts in style in the years between each EP. I got a good playlist going of all three EPs by The Mimmos now, and really need to take it to the beach. Grab this and previous EPs from The Mimmos' bandcamp page. It might be a few more years before more The Mimmos, but I can relax with all these tunes until then.
“released January 29, 2021
Vocals by Amanda Caucci
Guitar, Bass, Synth and Keys by Matt Caucci
Drums by Jason Slota
Background Vocals on Alive and Shaking by Alicia Stanton-Kesse
Recorded at Retro City Studios in Philadelphia Pennsylvania by David Klyman and Kyle Graham
Additional recording at Mudroom by Matt Caucci
Mixed by Robert Shelton
Mastered by Joe Lambert at Joe Lambert Mastering
Cover art and CD design by Matt Caucci
Music and lyrics by The Mimmos (Matt and Amanda Caucci)”
