Review
The MES
Evil Echo and Deaf Mind-

Independent (2024) Christopher D

The MES – Evil Echo and Deaf Mind- cover artwork
The MES – Evil Echo and Deaf Mind- — Independent, 2024

Divine intervention from Finland weaving this ripsnorter straight up the nasal cavity producing flashing lights and heightened endorphin production ……. oh, the downside -repetition is essential for pure unadulterated drops of artificial sweetener-sucralose to take full effect (sure beats saccharin).
So, some old geezer like myself is under no illusion that he knows all about music but this ain't my first rodeo-yee haw.

Finnish Rautalanka had never crossed my ever-failing sensors and I can thank The Mes for the introduction to which they attribute the term- New Wave of Finnish Rautalanka (think The Shadows-who played Finland several times and The Ventures who were also well-loved by The Finnish! however, these two bands alone spawned many bands in Finland such as The Sounds(not the Adrian Borland band with the same name)

The Mes can navigate the stormy waters of the current climate of a world of a trillion bands and lean on the past all the while producing output that sounds fresh and vintage within the same hand-rolled joint. Take a puff.

At times they have a garage element not unlike early Hives, blended with one of my favourites and not often spoken about enough Dan Sartain. All the while giving us the chance to ride the crest down the aquatic skating rink, through the Banzai Pipe. The hip "Hypno Preacher" is amongst us, living, breathing, beckoning with his outstretched bony-clicking fingers for you to join him on the world's deadliest crest.
Finland has 60 rideable surfing days a year for all those in doubt- so get those boards waxed up. Vahaa laudallasi ja aja kuolemaan!
Hoping The Mes can surf their way into your blackened heart ( no they will not eat your pets) and land on North American soil and over the physical and perceived walls.

I goad you to stop spending money on retirement, nostalgia pantomime acts of fisticuffed elders and throw some crisp banknotes to new bands producing exciting helter-skelter.
Fresh Sauna music for those who don’t want to relax -jump into the cold pool and explore. Your 60's Stranglers-filled sensibilities and frozen gonads will thank you profusely.

The MES – Evil Echo and Deaf Mind- cover artwork
The MES – Evil Echo and Deaf Mind- — Independent, 2024

Related news

Joe Strummer's & The Mescaleros box set

Posted in Records on July 31, 2022

Recently-posted album reviews

Floating Boy

Perfect Place
Independent (2026)

Sarasota, Florida’s Floating Boy have been grinding for seven years, quietly shaping themselves into a band that lives and breathes the ethics of Fugazi (if you couldn’t tell by their track inspired name) and the emotional chaos of DIY punk. Their debut full-length, Perfect Place, is the culmination of that time. There are ten tracks of anxious, politically charged emo-punk/post-hardcore … Read more

The Brokedowns

Let's Tips The Landlord
Red Scare Industries (2025)

I've reviewed a lot of Brokedowns records over the years. First, I'll say I love the band and I honestly feel like they keep getting better. Second, I'll say that this record threw a couple of surprises at me. The band play multi-vocalist poppish punk in the school of Dillinger Four or Errth, albeit more on the angry side. There … Read more

Dumbells

Up Late With
Mind Melt Records (2025)

When I started my end of year list this year I asked my pal Joel from Portland’s Dumpies to share his best of 2025 playlist with me. Several songs caught my attention which I, in turn, went and checked out the albums from which they had come. The one that has quickly climbed up my year end list over the … Read more