The Mediocre Fight – We Are Enablers

The Mediocre Fight – We Are Enablers cover

Jacks of All Trades, Mediocre at None.

One striking aspect of The Mediocre Fight’s bio is the band members’ diverse musical backgrounds. The group consists of “a jam-band drummer, a jazz pianist and an indie-rock bassist, guitarist, and lead singer,” not to mention the other rotating members of the ensemble who bring the total number of Mediocre Fighters to twelve (a number which may or may not include the violin talents of Margot & The Nuclear So and So’s Erik Kang). Each one of these backgrounds surface on these eight tracks, resulting in a record that has something for everyone, but will appeal most to those with a diverse palate of musical tastes.

We Are Enablers opens with “The Circus,” an upbeat track that showcases many of the best aspects of the record: a full and intricate ensemble sound, excellent professional production, and pleasant vocal delivery. The next song, “Bored and Young” is comparatively scaled down, but one of the highlights on the album with its infectious melody and amusing lyrics. Other standout tracks include “Alright to be Alright,” a positive love song that settles at just the right spot on the sappiness spectrum and the brief, rollicking, all-over-the-place “The Girl Who Steals.” While the last track, “Passing Time” is the longest with the most varied parts and changes, “All Things Go” stands out to me as the most ambitious song on the record. It’s a brilliantly arranged ballad that, with its strings, choruses, and sincere delivery of the lyrics, really shows off the musical talents and songwriting chops of the band.

This excellent debut album succeeds in showcasing where each of the members are from. I, for one, am curious to see where this diverse and talented group of musicians will go in their very bright future.