Melon and the Mayhem

Lights On

Independent Release, 2012

From out of Nashville come Melon and the Mayhem, a jazz ‘n soul trio that occasionally dabbles in rock. This 4 song EP hints at what could be a stunning, and promising new talent. The soul Mary Ellen Klein, (Melon, we can probably presume), brings to the material is exceptional. The rest of the band, The Mayhem as it were, Clay Golden (drums, saxophone), Nelson Icenhower (lead guitar, bass), are careful not to overplay, and bring the right amount of heart to color the songs.

“Alone Together” is dead sexy. Sleepy and irresistible; the saxophone solo is alluring and seductive. The song is as light as the air in springtime, with fun, flitty lyrics from a different age. “It’s a Quarter past ten/Boy, you’re a dime.” And then later, “Here’s my final efface/there’s Vinyl at my place,” an offer near impossible to resist.  This sounds a lot like the cocktail jazz of the late 50’s. The one with great swingin’ bachelor pad art on the LP cover of scantily dressed women beckoning with the assurance of a memorable evening.  What made those records great was the whole package. The music, then like now, makes good on the promise, of being remarkable.

“Never” wails like the Stax soul number it is. The band builds the proper amount of tension for Klein’s vocal tight wire walk.  Repeatedly it builds and falls away, teasing and toying with the listener, before building a head of steam. Once the song is underway, it’s unstoppable.

“Fireworks” is playful and nostalgic, and feels like being lakeside in the summertime, when the nights are endless and teenage dreams feel like they might come true.  “We both agreed the golden age/ Was Viet Nam and Jimmy Page.”

“A.D.D. Song” is the rocker in the bunch with a dirty organ sound to drive it. Maybe they could get a decent break and be underwritten by Ritalin or Adderall for their next ad campaign.

Melon and The Mayhem have a solid release with these four songs. It would be disingenuous to think that there isn’t more just like it waiting to surface.

http://melonandthemayhem.bandcamp.com
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