Neart Mint.  Alternative and Independent. Who could possibly ask for more? 

Larry Rogers | November 25, 2014

Anna Sage / Brick Top Fear Mint Vol. 1 and The Obsessives’ Manners

 

The really interesting thing about "alternative" music is how it's pretty unclassifiable, but you know it when you hear it.  There's a specific vocal quality that pretty much defines the genre.  It's that comfortable place between crooner and mediocre karaoke, kind of like the black keys on the piano; not perfect, but just right.  The really intriguing thing is that it applies to both male and female singers of the genre. Too "on key," and you're an independent rock act, too "loud," and you're grunge or metal.

 

Near Mint, described as a DIY record label, recently released two EPs: Fear Mint vol. 1 featuring two songs each from anna sage. and Brick Top, and Manners by the Obsessives.  All three acts singers hit that sweet spot, allowing for "easy" categorization in the "alternative" section in your media player's song list.  The Obsessives' singer reaches a bit more when he sings, sounding more plaintive and harder-working than the singers of anna sage. and Brick Top.  This observation should not be taken as a slight on any of the three bands, as all are very capable and enjoyable alternative bands, coexisting easily on the same label.  If you were to attend the December 18 Near Mint Showcase show in Charlottesville, NC, none of these bands would sound out of place on the same bill.

 

Anna Sage., a band obviously taking grammar cues from e. e. cummings, starts the collection off with a six-minute demonstration of how good alternative music can be in "The Life and Lies of Jimmy Fries."  Featuring excellent guitar work, highly technical and pitch-perfect drums, and solid supporting bass, this tune ranges from the full tonal range opening to a near-a capella plea that fills over two minutes of the song.  The other anna sage. tune, "Dude Man Bro," is an acoustic track featuring piano standing in for a rhythm section and violins that really drive home the melancholy of the song that is simply not reflected in the tune's title.

 

Brick Top's contributions to the collection include the insistent, driving "Model Home" - a paean to running away from one's home and problems - and "Jack-O'-Lantern," an acoustic coming of age ditty set in late October.  They’re solid tracks that certainly belong in the same collection as anna sage.'s, but demonstrate less creative range.  Given that each band only contributed two songs to the four-song set, it's probably an unfair comparison, especially given how enjoyable "Model Home" is, being  the most most rock and roll tune on the whole EP.

 

The Obsessives' six tunes comprising Manners reflect a rock solid foundation in the alternative genre. "Malcolm Doesn't Get It" opens the collection with a full-bore rock ethos.  The song's acoustic guitar and the singer's voice keep "Malcolm Doesn’t Get It" in the alternative genre, as do the tune's many change-ups and little extras. "Smell California" slows down the whole enterprise, bringing the listener along on a trip that builds in intensity right to the end.  "About the Planets" brings us back to a guitar-heavy, rhythmic beat filled with repeated lyrics, featuring a short a capella moment of realization when the singer realizes, "I could die young/ I could leave nothing behind," leading to the most repetitive section of the whole song, punctuated with guitar, "All of the stars/ Follow behind me," plays over and over. The engineering on "Do the Dishes" makes the minute and a half of voice and minimalistic guitar sound even more hollow and empty than the lyrics already do. "Old Mountain Bikes" and "Cleaner" returns to a more traditional rock sound, heavy on rhythm guitars and cymbal work.  

 

If these three bands are any indication, Near Mint features solid alternative bands crafting original tunes, which are both enjoyable and fun.  If you like alternative music, check 'em out, I doubt you'll be disappointed.