Handed the album Total War by Hello the Mind Control, one might have some misguided expectations. The title makes one think about aggression while the band’s name brings to mind dystopian future novels. You might expect a concept album about killer robots controlled by a totalitarian regime. Thankfully, the band didn’t go this route. Total War is an indie-pop powerhouse.
Optimism is a quality I don’t hear enough of in music. Hello the Mind Control make songs brimming with it. “Holy smokes/Today I saw the most beautiful thing/I saw the grayest of skies/with my neighborhood’s grass so green,” and “We’ll find ourselves in the next full moon” are just a couple of the lyrics that brought me a smile. People aren’t the only beneficiaries. On “This Old Tree” comes the line “Don’t feel scared little bird…your mother’s right beside you protecting you from pain.” And it’s actually sung to a bird. While most pop albums limit love to its romantic pieces, Hello the Mind Control exhibit a genuine love for the world.
The band pulls from all manners of indie rock. There are guitar jangles, violins sweeping, and a mandolin to add some bounce. In spirit, the album feels reminiscent of Irish rock played for jolly drunks. I couldn’t help thinking of the Saturday nights I spent at Rosey McCaffree’s while listening. Musically, the comparison doesn’t hold up. But the energy is all about that letting loose.
This was a difficult album to write about. It’s hard to pull apart the pieces when everything fits together so well. I highly recommend Total War, especially if your day isn’t going so hot. I can hear people saying “That’s just silly pop music.” Allow me to roll my eyes. Pull the stick out of your ass and dance a little, will ya?
