Make Do and Mend

Make Do and Mend: Bodies of WaterBodies of Water (2009)
self-released

Reviewer Rating: 4

User Rating:

Contributed by: mikexdudemikexdude
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on January 20th 2009If you are reading this, then that means you have downloaded 'Bodies of Water.' We would just like to thank you. These six songs mean more to us than anything we've ever recorded, and we sincerely hope it shows. We decided to release it the way we did because we wanted to have complete control over .

If you are reading this, then that means you have downloaded 'Bodies of Water.' We would just like to thank you. These six songs mean more to us than anything we've ever recorded, and we sincerely hope it shows. We decided to release it the way we did because we wanted to have complete control over what we created, we wanted you to be able to hear these songs without having to spend your money, or feel guilty about downloading it illegally. In this fashion, BOW is as direct an expression we could hope to make, legitimately from us to you. Thank you for taking an interest in this record"

Those words were taken directly from Make Do and Mend's "Thanks" section of their free of charge, downloadable EP, Bodies of Water. It's the same modesty and sincerity that masks the very few flaws within these six well-crafted and perfectly sequenced tracks. Following up their 2007 EP, We're All Just Living, the band supplies all the obvious Hot Water Music influences you could muster (Caution seems to have been on heavy rotation), yet pieces it together with their own hookish sensibility.

The opening track, "Shambles" acts as a prelude, foreshadowing the reverb-drenched chorus melody to the following "Wintertime Wasteland." The vocals over the soft palm muting are deceivingly clean as a simple, distorted drum pattern emerges from behind the music and carries into said "following track." The gruff increases as the dynamics explode into huge harmonious chorus. The adjacent "Father" and "Our Own Ebb and Flow" have arguably the two most memorable yet simple melodies, while "No Words" is less conventional with complex structures and guest vocal duties.

The most impressive feat accomplished in Bodies of Water as a whole is the atmosphere that's created; the lonely and mountainous isolation portrayed in the artwork is not only eye-catching, but a snowy visual summarizes the themes throughout the lyrical content. Against the haunting, numbingly below-zero temperature of the instruments, the vocalist, without trepidation, wears his heart on his parka. Whether he's picking apart scabs from his past with "Father" ("How am I the product of this man?") or his eloquent pessimism with "Shambles" ("I don't believe the clouds are hiding much than a reason to downpour"), the lyrics are thoughtful and definitely genuine.

Though tangible albums are more my thing, the PDF file comes complete with all the lyrics and great, wintry artwork -- the whole "free" thing ain't too shabby either either. Personally, I would have been more than happy to have paid for Bodies of Water. In fact, I'd be downright elated -- it would have been worth every penny.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

melu89 (February 20, 2011)

I love melodic hardcore to death. It's one of, if not my favorite, genre and I love this. This record is every bit as good as i had expected, and I think these guys have a great future ahead of them,

Marchelo (August 16, 2010)

One of the best albums I've heard in the latest times. Absolutely amazing.

macbethmystery (December 26, 2009)

Incredible. This EP is the best I've heard since PBC's The Redder, The Better.

laserguidedbygod (June 23, 2009)

This should be at least a half star higher.

friokir (April 1, 2009)

better than hot water.

Blackjaw_x (February 10, 2009)

Upping my score.

At full blast, this is the best EP of all time. Singing along perfected my own shout enough to start my own band. Anyone want to? No? Awh.

R3vengeTherapy (January 23, 2009)

I found this. It's really good. The Hot Water Music vibe is HUGE, but whatever, you don't always have to be original to be good.

The best part about it? When I put it into iTunes, the art for some band called the Black Unicorn showed up instead. It has a black unicorn (duh) and a rainbow behind it. Epic.

shanholtzer (January 22, 2009)

this shit rules!

passionisafashion (January 21, 2009)

While it's a bummer this review didn't get published while the EP was still free, I'm really glad it got picked up by a label. This and the last one are both excellent.

Blackjaw_x (January 21, 2009)

Well I found it, and it's fantastic. I saw they played shows with Rogue Set, one of my favourite bands, but never listened to them until now... glad I did.

valentine (January 21, 2009)

Posted by ryang on 2009-01-21 00:36:42

I picked up their first EP at a basement show in Allston, MA. I was hella drink and can't even remember if they played, but that CD has definitely gotten a lot of spins since then. Awesome band.

I highly doubt this. Im being an ass here, but their first EP was Intensity In Ten Cities. You probably got Were All Just Living. 2nd EP

mikexdude (January 21, 2009)

Yeah, the download link.

FOR EVERYONE WHO WANTS IT:

I wrote this review and submitted it in December, the album is apparently no longer free. I am sorry. Don't go looking for it.

Blackjaw_x (January 21, 2009)

I can't find the download link.

jah11 (January 21, 2009)

like the band. love the artwork!

jacktheskipper (January 21, 2009)

Downright awesome!

ryang (January 21, 2009)

I picked up their first EP at a basement show in Allston, MA. I was hella drink and can't even remember if they played, but that CD has definitely gotten a lot of spins since then. Awesome band.

valentine (January 20, 2009)

if you want something tangible for this record in the meantime, i run a cassette label and made 25 hand numbered copies of the album for their release show on Saturday. i have some left. email me at ready.cassette.go@gmail.com

WaitingRoom (January 20, 2009)

I like this. I like it a lot.

I can't wait to get my hands on a sweet Make Do and Mend belt....

bryne (January 20, 2009)

Killer band, killer record.

duffmancantbreatheohno (January 20, 2009)

Love this band! These dudes are killer live.

codu (January 20, 2009)

Damn, stuck in uni trying to work and was as looking to put this on as i go.

Stuck with The Freewheelin' Dylan atm
...Not that that's a bad thing.

mikexdude (January 20, 2009)

At any rate, Overdefined, I say you review the tangible version. It might be different.

mikexdude (January 20, 2009)

This record got picked up by a label and is no longer free. I think release is slated for March or so.

Goddamnit, now that like invalidates half this review. I got a free burnt copy when I saw them live, and they had it for download. I wrote this review in December.

overdefined (January 20, 2009)

This record got picked up by a label and is no longer free. I think release is slated for March or so.

Regardless, this is an awesome record. I was planning on doing a review of it.

xote (January 20, 2009)

Awesome band.

mikexdude (January 20, 2009)

Score is for slanted letters.