Day Dreamer and Beyond: Exploring Mean Motor Scooter's Latest Musical Chapter
It’s been almost a decade since I first heard Mean Motor Scooter’s debut EP. So, how does their latest release fare? Is it time to hang it up, or are they aging like fine wine?
I still vividly remember my first experience watching Mean Motor Scooter perform live at Lola’s in Ft. Worth, TX. At that time, they were a modest three-piece band that attacked the crowd with an honest and pure wall of sound and energy.
I recall feeling a primal excitement and a physical buzz throughout my body as I watched this then-unknown trio own their opening slot at a local music venue.
There will always be fond memories of that first self-titled EP and the subsequent inaugural show. It was a rare, perfect moment in time and music for me as a listener and observer.
Since then, Mean Motor Scooter has maintained a core sense of self while experimenting with different lineups and sounds. Each release was rooted in the sound and experience that we all know and love, yet the style would morph and change subtly, as it should with every band.
To this day, one of my favorite songs, "Slacker," resonates deeply with me and strikes a chord in me that few songs do. It's a true testament to Sammy Kidd's ability to write lyrics that others can genuinely resonate with, whether he intends to or not.
Naturally, with each new album release, I experience mixed emotions. Dread that they might have finally lost their edge and excitement that they might deliver something even better than what I already know and love about them.
Which brings us to their latest release, "Day Dreamer." For this record, the band has once again changed lineups, subtracting drummer Jeffrey Friedman and keyboardist Rebekah Elizabeth, while adding drummer Mike Surdel and lead guitarist Will Rakkar.
It's unclear whether the change in lineup is responsible for the shift in sound on this album, or if it was a natural and inevitable progression for the band.
For me, this album is a mixed bag. As usual, it contains core elements that make it uniquely Mean Motor Scooter. From the opening track, the listener is immersed in the expected brand of distorted rock riffs, powerhouse drums, and bass, all delivered through the purposely rock lo-fi (but not overly so) sound that we've all come to love and expect.
However, as you progress through the record, there's a noticeable shift towards the realm of pop-rock. The distortion and fuzz remains cranked up, but the riffs and chords soften and slow down. The lead riffs become more melodic and catchy, departing from the typical all-out attack. Some of the band's strangeness and weirdness have been traded for more traditional song structures.
For instance, tracks like "Struck By Cupid," "Daydreamer," and "Sleep Walking" focus on slower-paced, fuzzed-out tracks with more melodic leads, stadium drums and rhythm, and bigger catchier choruses.
Tracks like "Starr Kidd" make me wonder if the band is attempting to blend elements from the grunge and indie rock boom of the 90s and 2000s with the arena tour flair of the 80s.
Until this song, I hadn’t thought about how cool a Mean Motor Scooter show at the American Airlines Center could be, but here I am “Daydreaming” about it.. sorry, had to.
The final track of the album, "In My Dreams," has perhaps caught my attention the most. I'm not saying it's the best song on the album; however, it does give me a glimpse into the range of songwriting that both the band and Sammy Kidd could explore in the future.
It's not fast, it's not poppy, and it's not going to be the album's single. However, it's vulnerable, honest, and authentically Sammy Kidd. If he has other tunes similar to this one already written, then I foresee some uniquely distinct Mean Motor Scooter albums, or perhaps even a Sammy Kidd solo project.
Is this good or bad? Like all bands, it's pointless and ignorant to assume they'll always sound the same. Mean Motor Scooter has always been a band that evolves and changes unapologetically.
I believe what we're witnessing is the maturation of what has typically (and lovingly) been viewed as an immature band.
One of the many things I've always admired about Sammy Kidd as a performer and songwriter is his artistic sensibility to write and perform exactly as he wants. In my experience, he's never been afraid to take a leap with a weird guitar riff, a strange vocal sound, or a dark and concerning lyric. He's also never been overly concerned with writing specifically to please an audience.
The result is that he typically surprises the listener and often broadens their preconceived expectations of what the band is and should be.
Listening to "Day Dreamer" with all this in mind, I begin to draw parallels to other bands that have released records that changed the direction and perception of their music.
One of the most striking examples would be when Metallica underwent significant changes with the albums "Load" and "Reload." Another example would be when Green Day released "American Idiot," or when The Offspring put out "Americana." The list of bands changing their sound is endless, but the theme is clear. Change is a fundamental part of any band that has lasted the test of time.
Sure, a band like Metallica is in a completely different genre, but the fact remains that it was a significant turning point for them. Now, you have multiple generations of fans categorizing themselves based on which era of the band they prefer.
I think that's what we're witnessing currently with Mean Motor Scooter. Many changes have occurred both within and outside the band, and the music is evolving, just like the rest of the world.
The version of the band that I know and love has already recorded many albums for me to enjoy. They're always there and are not going away.
Now is the time to let go of what I considered to be the definition of Mean Motor Scooter and open my mind to what it is and what it could continue to be moving forward.
As with all change, some people will cling to the past, while others embrace the future. Which one will you be?
Travis Wright is the host of the “I’m a fan of…” podcast. If you enjoy music and comedy, be sure to subscribe to the podcast and check out the You Tube Channel. Thanks!