On its third full-length release, the Philadelphia-based dream-pop band Mazarin shows itself edging toward a more fully realized and unique sound, not one simply fueled by a raft of tasteful inspirations.
Primarily the project of Quentin Stoltzfus (formerly of Azusa Plane), Mazarin has a way of crafting intriguing songs from familiar elements, such as “New American Apathy,” on which robotic drumming, backwards guitars and bell effects couch Stoltzfus’ thin-air vocals in a bed of sonic whipped cream.
On “At 12 to 6,” Stoltzfus works up a wonderful droning psychedelic-folk froth, without succumbing to a too-obvious trick bag of retro-’60s tropes, while the instrumental “Schroed(er)/Inger” is a charming minimalist meditation on rudimentary electronica, not unlike–but neither is it too derivative of–Brian Eno’s 1970s experiments in faux-naïve pop.
Naturally, one or two cuts fail to distinguish themselves on this disc, merely summarizing the chiming, jangly pop-rock of countless alt-indie-whatever bands during the last 20 or so years. But by the time we reach “I’m With You and the Constellations,” the song’s nod to the gauzy-narcotic guitar noise of My Bloody Valentine–the criminally AWOL and surprisingly influential Brit group–comes as expected, logical and satisfying. Like much on We’re Already There, it just feels good.
This article appears in Dec 8-14, 2005.