Album Review: The Routes – Mesmerised (Action Weekend)

Opening track Broken Goods off The Routes newest LP Mesmerised hits you hard and hits you strong with a thundering, reverb-soaked drum groove followed shortly after by a gnarly guitar riff, bass and scattered vocals dipping hard into garage punk that echo from their turf in Hita City, Japan.

The groups head honcho Chris Jack obviously has a clear picture for the band and its direction, taking flavors from Guided By Voices, The Black Lips, The Stooges and vocally, a touch of Alice Cooper.

The recordings were laid down in both Japan and England with Chris taking on the mixing and mastering.

Title track Mesmerised is a stellar song with a great fuzz fueled guitar hook that Jack White and Dan Auerbach would definitely approve of. It’s also released with an eye catching and psychedelic green screen music video created inhouse by the jack-of-all-trades, Chris.

Society has a guitar riff that surprisingly nails the title of the song on the head. A droning vibe that drunkenly progresses downwards and swirls you in the chaos and monotony of society.

I’m Sorry has more of a driving and rocking groove that you can totally slap some grooves into your steering wheel with. A real catchy chorus, more classic style guitar and great energy from the drums.

Two Steps Ahead notches up the tempo with a real pushing energy and surf guitar riffs lathered in reverb. Spitting, frank and attitude filled vocal delivery from Chris.

Blink Of An Eye kicks off with a vibe you would find in a Tom Petty track, then dropping it down into a more darker section for the verse with lyrics to match. I feel so stiff my body aches. Lines on my hands lines on my face.

The World’s At Fault reminds me of a hard hitting classic blues riff inspired from the likes of Muddy Waters, fueled with dirty fuzz guitar riffs, gritty vocals and an interesting snare heavy drum groove.

Leave My Bed is one of the catchier songs of the album with a prominent repeating bass phrase that is 100% an ear worm and great vocal melodies that float around the outskirts of that riff playing call and response.

Used To I think is a really, really great track. The guitar melody is completely unique compared to the rest of the album and sticks out in a beautiful way. Vocally I think Chris’ voice sits perfect over the instrumentation and accentuates his vocal tone. I do wish the vocal track was brought up slightly more in the mix.

The last track on the album Foot In Mouth hits you with pinchy guitars and vocal harmonies that you’d find in classic Rock n’ Roll from the 60’s and 70’s. Nice!

The flow and energy of the album is great, and I take my hat off to Chris and his team for the production of this project. Look forward to playing this throughout the year!

Edwin Judd