Thinker Thought Records artist Mayhew The Traitor is not what I expected, and the trio from Macomb, Ill., would be hard to shelve by genre in a record store. (This may sound funny, but that’s meant in a good way.)
They are so different and such a hodgepodge of musical genres that describing their sound has nearly left multiple reviewers from various publications speechless.
They are self-proclaimed folk rock artists, but music industry people have called them everything including indie, rock, alt-country, country and honky tonk.
Find out more about the band by reading this Herald-Whig article.
As for their 2008 debut full-length album, “Deathwish,” a brief song-by-song review can be seen below. Be sure to check them out for yourself, because their label has the entire album streaming here.
1. “Shakin’ With John Wayne”
• It is one of the more upbeat sounding songs on the record, but I kind of agree with someone who was sitting next to me when I first heard it who said, “The guitars are too jangly, jangly, jangly.” As the song begins for the first time, the guitars sound nice, but as it goes on, it gets a bit repetitive.
2. “See You In Hell”
• I believe this song sets the tone for the album, because the other tracks follow in its somewhat melancholy footsteps.
3. “The In-Between”
• This is exactly what it sounds like and is in-between two other tracks and has no lyrics. Not bad, but nothing to write home about.
4. “Deathwish”
• Aw the old title-track, it is a little more upbeat sans the “jangly” guitars.
5. “Tolstoy’s Head”
• This is so far my favorite and caught my attention from the very first time I heard it. I think it’s a little Radiohead-esque. Great lyric: “Please forgive me, I love only you.”
6. “Lottie”
• As soon as this song starts, I always picture an old-school country artist in pressed western clothes and matching cowboy hat, sitting with a guitar on a stool, singing on television show in maybe the 1950s. As the song continues, this image fades, but it shows how with the slightest inflection in his voice, the singer can change his whole persona.
7. “Song One”
• It has more of a honky-tonk feel to it than most of the others. Great lyric: “If I wasn’t drunk as hell, I’d sing to you I swear.”
8. “Sweet Samsara”
• This is less honky tonk and more indie/alt-country.
9. “The Devil Knows My Name”
• With lyrics like, “Watch me stick my knife through the back of your throat,” it’s not hard to understand why the devil knows his name. Lead-singer Matthew Hobler is touted for his song-writing by indie reviewers, and I’m inclined to agree that this is not pop music’s “love” and “above” rhyming. This track is one of my favorites as well.
10. “This Is My White Flag”
• This is the only song on the album where it is just lead-singer Matthew Hobler with his acoustic guitar. It is a great way to hear the singer/songwriter in action. Great lyric: “Oh in death let us find, absolution.”
Several of the songs include an organ, and it really adds to the sound and truly makes this band different.
Read other Mayhew The Traitor reviews from Skyscraper Magazine, the Big Takeover Magazine and Punkbands.com.
REVIEWS
Ghettoblaster Magazine
“The isolated college town of Macomb, IL seems a fitting setting for the dark American gothic sound crafted by the trio of Mayhew The Traitor. However, even with song titles like ‘See You In Hell’ and the title track of ‘Deathwish’, the Midwest boys know how to kick the dust off some tunes and even bring in a little honky tonk on ‘Song One.’ The remainder of the album falls somewhere between a more vibrant American era Johnny Cash and early My Morning Jacket. What ultimately makes the album work so well and find real depth for the songs is singer/songwriter Matthew Hobler’s commonality with slowcore principles Mark Kozelek and Jason Molina in both delivery and content.”
- David C. Obenour/Ghettoblaster Magazine
Punkbands.com
“As odd as this album is, it’s definitely a quality record. You’d be hard pressed to find a stranger, more experimental album in this vein. The songs are drenched in such gorgeous melancholy that it’s really hard to resist. This is a great album for a road trip and definitely one of the more unique releases in recent memory. If you can ignore that oddly placed first track, you’re in for an excellent album that won’t disappoint.”
— Max Gambill/Punkbands.com
AREA SHOWS
Andy Rhea and his band (indie), Harlot Bride (experimental) and Ryan Mallery (acoustic)
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: The Threshing Floor, 131 W. Outer Rd., Eolia, Mo.
HOW MUCH: $5, all ages
INFO: www.myspace.com/thethreshingfloor
TIPS: This is a great all-ages venue that often features touring acts and always has full lineups.
Mayhew The Traitor (indie) and Chew Toy
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday
WHERE: The A.D.D. Loft, Macomb, Ill.
INFO: www.myspace.com/mayhewthetraitor
Dope Boy Allstars of Macomb, Ill.
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday
WHERE: The Cafe, Macomb
HOW MUCH: $3
INFO: www.myspace.com/dopeboyallstars
Benefit show with Circadia (progressive/metal), Driving While Stupid, Profane Humor and The Dwellers
WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Memorial Auditorium, Burlington, Iowa
INFO: www.myspace.com/circadiarocks and www.myspace.com/dws515
TIPS: Charlie Greene passed away, and all proceeds will go to his daughter Lily Greene’s future. This is a one-time performance for Profane Humor and the final performance for The Dwellers.
Thinker Thought Records showcase with Empty Orchestra, Mayhew The Traitor, Tina Sparkle, The Dead Wait (rock/indie)
WHEN: 7 p.m Saturday
WHERE: Music @ the Mall, 300 Main, Keokuk, Iowa
HOW MUCH: $5, all ages
INFO: www.myspace.com/musicatthemall
TIPS: Thinker Thought Records is based out of Chicago, and this show showcases bands on their label.
Raised On Radio (classic rock/blues) of Quincy
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: The Dock, 1021 Bonazinga Dr.
HOW MUCH: $5
INFO: www.myspace.com/raisedonradiolive
TIPS: They have been playing together for a long time, and it shows in a good way.
Predawn Hour (rock) of Quincy
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: The Back Alley Bar and Grill, 113 Williams Dr., Pittsfield, Ill.
HOW MUCH: $5
INFO: www.myspace.com/predawnhour
TIPS: They play regionally every weekend, so if you miss this show, check their calendar for many more.
Levee Town (blues/rock)
WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: The Club Tavern, 1023 N. Tenth
TIPS: This band was the winner of the Kansas City blues challenge in 2006 and plays mostly near Kansas City, Mo. Influenced by Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan.
The Martini Time Cowboys (rockabilly)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: The Office, Basco, Ill.
TIPS: I’ve seen their lead guitarist Clay Huston in other bands, and he is a great musician. The band boasts seven members, including a harmonica player and steel guitarist.
Thru the Ashes (rock) of Troy, Mo.
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Sportsman’s Bar, 112 S. Seventh, Hannibal, Mo.
INFO: www.myspace.com/thrutheashesacoustic
Burt Shackleton (acoustic)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Brix Wine and Cheese, Fourth and Hampshire
HOW MUCH: No cover
INFO: www.myspace.com/burtshackleton
Wild Wild West Band (country/classic rock)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: City Limits Bar and Grill, Route 24 West, Mount Sterling, Ill.
HOW MUCH: No cover
INFO: www.wildwildwestband.com
TIPS: Donations for Nick Austin, who has cancer, welcome at the door. City Limits Bar and Grill will match funds collected.
Erin and Chris, Anthony Heubel and Brian Morgante (acoustic)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: The Day Old Basement, 1111 W. Adams, Macomb, Ill.
HOW MUCH: $3
INFO: www.myspace.com/thedayoldbasement
TIPS: The Day Old Basement is a self-proclaimed DIY venue and says all bands are welcome to play.
Support local music and go to a show! Have a happy and safe weekend.
Contact me at jmartin@whig.com.
