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Mineral

EndSerenading (1998)
Crank Records

Reviewer Rating:

User Rating:

Contributed by: nocigar
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on March 6th 2007

After the very first moments of The Power of Failing, I knew that Mineral was special. This album pushes them past that spectrum into unbelievable. EndSerenading is one of the most brilliant and moving albums ever and I say that with confidence. You want real emotion? Real passion? Get this album, now.

From start to finish this piece of art has greatness written all over it. I am unable to point out any flaws about this album; anybody who enjoys any type of music will be overwhelmed with the energy and emotion pouring through every second of every song on here.

Much like their previous release, singer/guitarist Chris Simpson provides his recognizable vocals that fit perfectly over beautiful music, whether it be slow tempos or crashing guitars. The instrumentation is complex and provides its own unique sense of raw energy as it takes the listener on a journey that they won’t ever want to come back from. The first track, “Lovelettertypewriter” is the perfect song to prepare one for this journey, as beautiful guitar work along with Simpson’s haunting and crooning vocals will send chills down your spine and literally give you goosebumps. It really sets the atmosphere that the album will constantly support throughout its entirety.

“Aletter” will spin your head around as it switches from slower tempos and then blasts you in the face with huge, distorted guitar hooks that flow with the distinct vocals of this band. “& Serenading” showcases Simpson’s ability to write meaningful and emotional lyrics such as "When I was a boy I could hear / Symphonies in seashells / So why am I so deaf at 22 / To the sound of the driving snow / That drives me home to you."

All in all, this is one of the best albums ever recorded and I can guarantee others agree with that statement. It truly saddens me that this band broke up because they had so much talent and creativity and both of their full-length albums are so damn amazing. The word amazing doesn’t even do this band justice, I don’t think there’s a word to describe it, it’s just too hard. If you don’t have this album, seriously get it, it’s a must-have that never gets old. I’ve said just about all I can about this album and this band, the rest is up to you to give this a listen. I assure you that you will have to pick your jaw up off the ground because that’s where it will be until the very last second on this album runs out.

Stand out tracks:
--the whole album--

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Anonymous (March 8, 2007)

what up '98. nice to see people acting positive again! remember when everyone was excited and not jaded.

=)

SloaneDaley (March 8, 2007)

I'm a Power of Failing kinda guy too.

benz (March 7, 2007)

But c'mon guys. Power of Failing still rules too.

-benz

branden (March 7, 2007)

just sayin dude
felt like i should clarify

Anonymous (March 7, 2007)

I cannot speak highly enough of this record.

To simply put it, its a must have

k-dubs (March 7, 2007)

im glad youre in love with them.

nocigar (March 7, 2007)

branden, i'm not talking shit to you, like i said i appreciate criticism, and i know these two reviews are very much a like..vut they were my 2nd and 3rd reviews...i just didnt know what else to write due to the fact that they are both by the same band within the short amount of time they were around and in my opinion were very close in the same "score" range

Anonymous (March 7, 2007)

Right on, nocigar. I often wonder what the kids these days think of the music I grew up listening to. This has to be one of my favorite albums of all time, and I can still throw it in and enjoy it. Thanks.

branden (March 7, 2007)

ok. maybe that was kind of a shitty post.
so heres a better one.
for criticism, your reviews are decent, but worshippy. not my taste but whatever.
i dunno why i was bitching, cause its not like i pay to view the site or nothin. the presentation of the two reviews just peeved the shit out of me, thats all.

Anonymous (March 6, 2007)

I always felt Mineral were the B team. They're like the NUFAN of emo.

Anonymous (March 6, 2007)

I come back to the two mineral records every now and then, and I've always been disappointed. I still keep trying. I don't hold it against anybody who likes them, they seem like they have it together, but besides the most accessible of songs, 'parking lot', I've never been able to get into it but there is always this year I suppose.

wyzo

nocigar (March 6, 2007)

branden,

hey man, thanks a lot! glad you felt it necessary to post criticism and thanks for your opinion. But in the fact i reviewed both of their albums..who gives a fuck about that? nobody else reviewed them, at least i didnt review an album that has already been reviewed...besides, this album needed to be reviewed and if anyone can do it better, do it i encourage them.

branden (March 6, 2007)

mineralreviews.org

really.
talk about some redundant shit. the same dude, reviews the same band, and gives it pretty much the same lame ass review. it just seems like bad taste to me.

Anonymous (March 6, 2007)

I don't care how good this record is, there's probably someone out there who has a pretty good taste in music who doesn't like it.

bombshoes (March 6, 2007)

After all the positive praise I heard a year or two ago, I decided to pick this up, and it was pretty disappointing. Musically a little too flat, and the way the singer strains to hit those high notes is painful to hear. I mean, it's still pretty good, but not as perfect as a lot of you claim it to be.

wearestillalive (March 6, 2007)

"Okay, so I'm generally pretty big on mid-`90s emo in this sense of the style (SDRE circa Diary, that old Mock Orange song on the new Lobster comp), but I owned The Power of Failing for a few years and was kinda bored by it. Is this worth checking out?"

YES. This record is so much better than power of failing and easily one of my all-time favourites.

almostpunkenough (March 6, 2007)

simply excellent.

inagreendase (March 6, 2007)

Okay, so I'm generally pretty big on mid-`90s emo in this sense of the style (SDRE circa Diary, that old Mock Orange song on the new Lobster comp), but I owned The Power of Failing for a few years and was kinda bored by it. Is this worth checking out?

booker_pee (March 6, 2007)

totally impeccable. an unimpeachable record that should be heard by everyone ever.

insinceredave (March 6, 2007)

Great band. Excellent album.

In my view worthy of every star of that review.

maverick (March 6, 2007)

Dude, you think Cedric's bad? Omar is the Mars Volta. It's his band; Cedric just sings for them. (He's said egotistical shit like this in interviews before -- he even has referred to ATDI as "his" band and that he decided when they should break up.)

There's a much ebtter chance of Cedric mending fences than Omar, but I doubt neither will happen for another few years at the very least (Sparta will have to be broken up and TMV will have to have lost all remaining buzz they have, and they're quickly approaching that point now).

Also, Paul will probably die of an overdose or something, and that's what will bring them back together. Flea will play bass on the reunion tour.

This is sounding less and less far-fetched as I write it.

-Scott

ConsolationPrizefighter (March 6, 2007)

For ATDI to get back together Cedric has to stop fellating his own ego. I see that happening as soon as the Mars Volta writes a song that clocks in under 3 minutes that isn't an intro/ambiance track.

Back on track though, Mineral has to be my favorite 90's emo band. Their albums just really strike a chord with me.

maverick (March 6, 2007)

Top notch record. What I wouldn't give to see a reunion show by this band. I think they're next on the mid-'90s emo band reunion list, anyway, since Braid and Texas Is The Reason already did theirs (and it's not like At The Drive-In is mending any fences soon).

-Scott

Anonymous (March 6, 2007)

Yes! Fucking amazing album! I like "The Power Of Failing" more, but this is right up there. Fucking classic!