Mystery Jets - Serotonin

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3...according to our Brian on Thu 01 Jul, 2010.

Apparently this old producer duffer called Chris Thomas has been roped in to make Mystery Jets 3rd album sound all uber-flash & proper rockin' and that. He was the man behind 'Anarchy in the UK', something which he probably bolds in uppercase on his CV. It was a pretty mighty sounding record. 33 fucking years ago. 'Serotonin' is a varied sounding album that sounds heavily doctored & all the worse for it. There's stadium-indie dynamics ala Temper Trap, bad woozy analogue keyboard sounds, close harmonising ala Grizzly Bear, cheesy late 70s FM radio baz like The Cars and "sexydisco" dayglo 80s plodders that make some of the tracks from the last Franz Ferdinand album sound truly cutting edge. None of the songs here are particularly bad, they're all fairly well sculpted & catchy. I just find them (largely) rendered unpalatable due to the extra-compressed & bland production, plus the dubious sound palette that's often employed by this "70s legend". I mean, if records sound dated on the day of release, how they gonna sound in 10 years? They should have kept their Dad in the band, they were good then, had a bit of "edge". PS. I really like the single though, reminds me of being a "kid".

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Five years since the impromptu gigs at the infamous Eel Pie Island boatyard, the Mystery Jets are now about to release their hotly anticipated third album ‘Serotonin’.

· Lead singer Blaine Harrison is quick to admit that their new release is “a rather long way away from their ramshackle beginnings”. The boys from West London are now working alongside legendary producer Chris Thomas.

· Sex Pistols’ ‘Anarchy in the UK’, John Cale’s ‘Paris 1919’ and
Pulp’s ‘Different Class’ are among a few of the albums that
Thomas is famed for producing.

· “He can hear things that none of us can hear,” whispers guitarist William Rees. “He’s got dog’s ears.” “And he has the best stories,” nods lead singer Blaine Harrison. “The anecdotes are just unbelievable”

· Reflecting on the album, Blaine suggests ‘Serotonin’ is an album about “dreaming and escapism- we wanted to get a sense of distance on the album, the idea of looking at the world”.

· Former member Henry Harrison believes “it’s really important with a Mystery Jets song that you want to get involved, that there’s a bit of blood and gore”.

· We’ve got our hands in the mud. That’s what I feel about this album. You take your hands out and if they’re covered in mud, you say, that’s alright. That’s the kind of feeling we want”
· ‘Serotonin’ is released on CD and a deluxe vinyl LP (housed in a gatefold sleeve and including a bonus two track vinyl 7” single).

Tracklisting:

Alice Springs * It’s Too Late * The Girl Is Gone * Flash A Hungry Smile * Serotonin * Show Me The Light * Dreaming Of Another World * Lady Gray * Miracle * Melt * Lorna Doone
Tracks on bonus 7”

(RTRADLP551 only) - Skinny Jeanne b/w Make Up Your Mind

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