Mozes and the Firstborn

You can listen to 'I got skills' here.

So far several fine records have been released by Dutch bands in 2013. For months on end the rumour about a new top band has been going around and now the album is here. Mozes and the Firstborn is a band from Eindhoven in Noord-Brabant. Listening to the album for the first time last week, it became clear once more that retro-psychedelia is the new hip in 2013. Mozes and the Firstborn has found its way to the well and dipped the instruments in deep.

One song sticks out far above all else. 'I got skills' is the summer of 2013 radio hit for the band, coming by in mid rotation. It has all it takes to be a novelty hit like Nada Surf's 'Popular' or Armand's 'Ben ik te min'. The single reminds me of both so much. A slacker hit if I ever heard one. But not the song the band will want to be remembered for for the rest of its career, I guess. There's a lot more going on on this first album.

Mozes and the Firstborn consists of Melle Dielesen (lead singing and guitar), Ernst-Jan van Doorn (guitar), Corto Blommaert (bass) and Raven Aartsen (drums). They are all young, early twenties and sound more enthusiastic than super proficient. The sound of the album is semi-primitive, as if recorded in the garage, actually the basement I understand of one of the parents, while at the same time there is a clear and keen ear for details in the production. This way the music has a rough and a sweet edge, which works well most of the time. The sound is straight out of the 60s, not unlike The Outsiders or Q65, but with a lot better English (pronounciation).

The music period that Mozes and the Firstborn is inspired by is about the same as Jacco Gardner, this band sounds more alive and less studied. Something is happening that makes me prick up my ears, even if a song is not so special all by itself, but something is happening in it that make it worth while listening to. 'Time's a headache' e.g. does not have a special melody, but the dynamics and the guitar eruptions make it a fun song to listen to. And a little detail like the pre chorus acoustic guitar strokes announcing to the rest of the band to catch up, is a fine detail.

What I also like about the album, that it is all but one dimensional. It rocks out and has a poppy song like 'Skinny girl' based on the acoustic guitar, with fun details and o so 60s. It is not pretentious. The songs are all pretty straight forward. There may be a guitar overdub here or there, sometimes a few organ notes, but all to serve the song and not a concept. There may be no virtuosity on Mozes and the Firstborn, it all leads to songs that are worthwhile hearing and hearing again. Towards the end of the album is 'Heaven'. Low tempo, not much going on until the lead guitar lets it all rip. Totally over the top, showing again that Mozes and the Firstborn is able to have a great impact with minimal effects. One to be exact in this example, on the guitar.

To be honest, I can't wait to see the band live. This is going to be one big party, I'm sure. Until then I'm happy with Mozes and the Firstborn at home and underway.

Wo.