Mecca Normal
Country of origin:
Canada
Type of music generally:
Alternative indie/punk rock
Status:
Most recent release, Empathy for the Evil (2014)
See also:
Mecca Normal's site
Comparisons:
Early Sleater-Kinney, early The Breeders, Patti Smith
Covers/own material:
Own
General comments:
I first bought this because I read a music review that said Jean Smith's voice was like Kate Bush's. It's not, it's more like Patti Smith's especially in the way she uses it, but this is still interesting and good music if you like driving vocals and guitar, which I do. There is just one guitar and one voice, but their sound is full. I like the two discs I have by them a lot, but haven't been driven to get more. (Neile)
Recommended first album:
Water Cuts My Hands/Calico Killed The Cat
Recordings:
- Mecca Normal (1986)
- Calico Kills The Cat (1989)
- Water Cuts My Hands (1991)
- Water Cuts My Hands/Calico Killed The Cat (1990)
- Dovetail (1992)
- Jarred Up (1993)
- Flood Plain (1993)
- Sitting On Snaps (1995)
- The Eagle And The Poodle (1996)
- Who Shot Elvis? (1997)
- Family Swan (2002)
- Janis Zeppelin (2003)
- The Observer (2006)
- Empathy for the Evil (2014)
Water Cuts My Hands/Calico Killed The Cat
Release info:
1990—Matador Records/K Records—Ole 011-2
Availability:
Wide in U.S.
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended for indierockpunk fans
Group members:
Jean Smith, vocals
David Lester, guitar
Comments:
This is a double album, combining Mecca Normal's second and third albums. Good music, interesting lyrics. Jean Smith's voice is driving here, and her delivery often reminds me of Patti Smith. My favourite tracks are "Taking The Back Stairs", "Water Cuts My Hands", "Dead Birds Feet" from Water Cuts My Hands and "My First Love Song", "Ancient Fire", "Don't Shoot" from Calico Kills The Cat. (Neile)
Dovetail
Release info:
1992—K Records—KLP 14
Availability:
Wide in U.S.
Ecto priority:
Recommended for indierockpunk fans
Group members:
Jean Smith, vocals, some guitar
David Lester, guitar
Comments:
I really like this, too, but am not quite as fond of this as of Water Cuts My Hands/Calico Killed The Cat, though it's hard to say why—they're quite similar overall. I love the first track "Throw Silver", where they actually layer two vocals tracks rather than always sticking to the one-voice one-guitar sound of Water Cuts My Hands/Calico Killed The Cat. "Once" and "Clatter" are especially great songs, too. (Neile)
Further info:
Both members of the band have also produced solo work and have careers as writers; Jean Smith also works with the band 2 Foot Flame.
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