EPs are simply the best album length for rock music mostly due repetitive tempos found amongst modern rock bands. Hey Mercedes doesn’t even attempt to side-step this issue with their first EP and instead sticks to what they do best - subdued, percussion focused, punk rock.

The consistency of rhythm in this album makes it a great album to spin while trying to get work done. I’m not saying it is elevator music, you’ll occasionally pump your fist during The House Shook but most of the time Hey Mercedes is in a groove that it seems weary of getting out of.

While Bells and St. James St are de-facto tracks for the band Stay Six is the type of quirkiness Nanna explored more with Hey Mercedes than he did with Braid and it goes down as probably one of the best songs in their catalog. If you are Braid/Hey Mercedes fan the EP is must have for two tracks: The House Shook and Stay Six.

I’m not much for lyrics but I’ll do my best to sum up my reactions. This EP is darker than the Braid material yet the music is just as upbeat as ever. I find that a bit odd, but maybe it is just tough to transition the words and music at the same time so Nanna picked the words. One might guess the break up of Braid had some effect on the lyrics. (Duh)

The sound quality on the CD is average but there are no glaring flaws. The production quality is quite good… it is a J. Robbins produced album after all. In fact, the under production on Robert Nanna’s minimalist vocal styling is Hey Mercedes’ blessing in disguise. Compare this EP with their final album, “Loses Control”, for an example of over production on vocals.

Finally, the album packaging is nothing special. It is the usual fare and I’m not aware of any alternate versions/pressings that have extra tracks or whatever.