Make Do and Mend

Make Do and Mend: End Measured MileEnd Measured Mile (2010)
Panic Records

Reviewer Rating: 4

User Rating:

Contributed by: BryneBryne
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on November 9th 2010Let's face facts: Any band can record a great EP or two. Catching lightning in a bottle is far more common than a lot of folks realize. The trick is having the ability to keep that lightning ignited for a prolonged period of time--say, at least 10 songs and somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 minute.

Let's face facts: Any band can record a great EP or two. Catching lightning in a bottle is far more common than a lot of folks realize. The trick is having the ability to keep that lightning ignited for a prolonged period of time--say, at least 10 songs and somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 minutes. We're all well aware of the interesting soundscapes Make Do and Mend are capable of creating thanks to a pair of promising EPs (2007's We're All Just Living and 2009's Bodies of Water) but again, the question is: Will they be able to stretch and sustain that level of energy for an entire full-length? With End Measured Mile, the answer to that is a resounding "yes."

When discussing Make Do and Mend's sound, an often underappreciated and overlooked facet of it is how seamlessly they're able to pair melody and abrasiveness, reminiscent of perhaps a fuller, louder, alternate universe Hot Water Music--the opening 1-2 punch of "Unknowingly Strong" and "Oak Square" immediately establish this, and for a scene saturated with far, far too many bands blatantly aping HWM, Make Do and Mend's take on the sound is refreshingly unique.

The group has roots in the hardcore scene as well--they are from Connecticut, after all (same state as Hatebreed, natch), and remain affiliated with upstart hardcore label Panic Records--and those influences shine through both directly and indirectly. La Dispute vocalist Jordan Dreyer pops up to drop a verse on "Ghostal" and as expected, knocks it out of the park with his one-of-a-kind, perpetually ascending and descending delivery. Appropriately, the song is far more brooding sonically than its predecessors.

Make Do and Mend have also always been particularly adept at writing great choruses, to an extent that far exceeds most of their contemporaries. To that end, what "Winter Wasteland" was to Bodies of Water, "Transparent Seas" is to End Measured Mile; the song's strength lies in its chorus, with clever chord progressions via soloing paired with the commanding, throaty yell of vocalist James Carroll, and all of it kept together with excellent percussion from brother Matt Carroll.

The second half of EMM more than holds its own. "Stand/Stagger" is not only the fastest track on the album--it's also the heaviest, putting Make Do and Mend's musical agility at the forefront. "Thanks" boasts yet another great chorus, this time carried by Carroll's vocal hooks. And closer "Night's the Only Time of Day," as so many album finishers do, impressively utilizes the quiet/loud dynamic and contains clever lyrical callbacks to Side A closer "For a Dreamer," in addition to the obvious correlation between the two songs' titles. It's a great way to wrap up what will surely serve as MDAM's coming-out party for those unfamiliar with the band, and sheer confirmation for those of us who knew they were something special all along.

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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.

Thumbs (June 13, 2012)

Finally heard this. Thumbs way down.

ConTheFlanMan (September 18, 2011)

The first time i ever heard of these guys was when i went to see Balance and Composure play with them, and i didn't think much of them. Then i ended up seeing them play a second time and they really caught my attention so i decided to pick up the record. Great decision, it took a couple spins but now i can't stop listening to these guys. Great album and definitely one of top of 2010.

peheme (July 29, 2011)

It's so perfectly produced, that it might even be its only flaw.

Trevormanzine (May 4, 2011)

I was blown away by this piece of wax. I listened to it over and over, I had the lyrics down in a little more than a week but for some reason this thing started to bore me. Quickly too, possibly from to many repeats I dunno but to me it just doesn't seem to have much repeat value.

Also, Stand Stagger sounds like a fucking nu metal song. blech.

miguel (February 2, 2011)

the lyrics are loooooooaded with cliches, but the music is good

bernsigns (January 2, 2011)

Keep up the good work.

Tudor (December 10, 2010)

Wow, I can't believe how much this sounds like a rip off of Hot water music

i-like-food (November 30, 2010)

awesome record. one of the best this year

coldwaraaron (November 29, 2010)

it hasnt been much better than this so far in 2010. only record that touches this is the National's High Violet. Thats right. I said it.

sweetsugarpezz (November 24, 2010)

wow, pretty pissed I just started listening to these guys.

StraightToHell82 (November 23, 2010)

Is Make Do And Mend in the running for album of the year?

"Oh, I'll check it out.
First two songs... pretty fucking solid.. .but that guitar is pretty annoying.
Track 3 is horrible... oh, ok, it continues more like track 3 than 1 or 2."

Sounds like a mixture between A Wilhelm Scream... and... Mest.
Yup. And that guitar.... I hate the guitarist.

So, to answer the question the Punknews.org slide-show is asking me... no. Not to me at least. Not even close.

KyleFromTheSky (November 21, 2010)

Initially, I liked this album the first couple times I listened to it but now I'm starting to realize that it has less of a lasting impression than what I had hoped for. I think there are better contenders for album of the year. Currently, I'm saying End Days by Eels, Recitation by Envy, Raising Ruins for the Future by Mighty Midgets, White Crosses by Against Me, and Hostage Calm's self-titled.

ak3punk (November 19, 2010)

Brilliant album, if Jimmy Eat World and Hot Water Music had a baby it would sound like this. I love it...

Alien (November 17, 2010)

This is fantastic. Very good stuff.
took me a couple listens to get it, but once it clicks, it clicks.

I fail to see the hot water music comparisons though

devianter (November 12, 2010)

thanks, i enjoyed it.

JVoland (November 11, 2010)

I thought their first two ep's were above average. I listened to this full length today for the first time, and holy fucking shit. blew me away, knocked me right on my ass, and it was such a good experience I had to listen to it again. Wow. I think the whole HWM/SBB style of punk is pretty played out these days, but these guys are definitely the exception.

Cherrycolarain (November 10, 2010)

In addition, Jordan Dreyer does indeed knock out of the park.

Cherrycolarain (November 10, 2010)

Excellent review. Seriously, that was one of the most direct, to the point and cohesive reviews I've read on Punknews in a long time.

Also, this record is outstanding. Possible runner up for best of the year along with End Of A Year and None More Black.

jp13 (November 10, 2010)

great release by these guys, been following them for a while great to see they can sustain a full length release!

Blackjaw_ (November 9, 2010)

I love it, which is good because I was afraid I wouldn't.

quickattack (November 9, 2010)

Fucking great. I gave the stream quite a few listens, I gotta get my copy soon.

mikeinflames (November 9, 2010)

Amazing album. Awesome dudes.
Doesn't get much better than this.

mattferraro (November 9, 2010)

Seriously the nicest dudes ever. Always so cool. I was so stoked on this release and had been itching to hear it for months. Now i can't stop listening to it. They really killed it

MaxRenn (November 9, 2010)

One of my favourites of the year. Everyone keeps referencing HWM, but it kinda reminds me of Thrice.

slymer (November 9, 2010)

I loved "Bodies of Water". This might even be a little better. Great record.

exitenglish1208 (November 9, 2010)

so good

Lysdexia (November 9, 2010)

One of my favorite debuts ever. Seriously one of the best of the year. I can't get enough of this album.

Dante3000 (November 9, 2010)

Seriously, love this record. It keeps moving at all times. At some points it speeds through like a car chase at other points it's like a slow moving semi but it always seems to be going somewhere. I've played this thing through over 5 times front to back in the last week and it's still new and crisp. Really an excellent full length from these guys.

thepopeofchili-town (November 9, 2010)

Rules.