Mesh - Automation Baby

Mesh is back with 'Automation Baby', over three years since their predecessor 'A Perfect Solution'. This time around they bring back the formula that made them so good in the first place, lots of electronics, turning off the guitar amps.

On 'A Perfect Solution' it seemed they would take things to a new level, aiming for a more traditional straightforward rock/pop kinda deal with electronic elements. And it did work out quite well for the most part, seeing that 'A Perfect Solution' is a fully capable album and more. Maybe they lost a few fans along the way, but with this new record they probably will gain them back.

This is primarily an electronic based album, and it brings back memories from 'Who Watches Over Me' and 'The Point At Which It Falls Apart'. So for those who thought 'Collide' and 'A Perfect Solution' took the band towards a more guitar based structure, this will probably put the smiles back on your faces.

The quality throughout the album is pretty stable and I can't say that there is a song on here I dislike, although some stick out a bit more than others, for example "Automation Baby" and "Born To Lie" which was the first single, and for good reasons. Some tracks take a bit longer to get a hold on, but once you do it just gives the album the variation it needs to keep it going for 14 tracks. A couple of instrumental tracks also gives it some nice breathing room, further enhancing the overall feel of the album. Mark Hockings' vocal performance is as good as ever. His British accent has a way of shining through here and there, leaving for a even more delicate and beautiful performance.

I really had high hopes for this album and I can truly say that it did not disappoint. Every thing I love about Mesh is represented on this album. I admire them for going in a different direction with their previous album, but I admire them even more for going back to their roots with this one. After so many albums it's always the danger of recycling old material and basically just releasing something "new" in a different wrapping. This is so not the case here, yes they use the same formula but the end product feels as fresh and new as anything they've done in the past.

So as for now there's really nothing wrong with sticking to the formula that works, and 'Automation Baby' really is the proof of that. May 13 2013