As a well respected band from Massachusetts, The Mitchells can count on support slots for the likes of Throwing Muses and Buffalo Tom. Surprisingly, for a long-serving band, 'Slow Gears' is only their third album yet it undoubtedly leads to the impression that this trio should release records more often.
Far from being a tired cliche of early 90s grunge, The Mitchells rattle through their ten songs with their original key (or rather off-key) changes and melodic twists. From start to finish, they hit the mark consistently with each song having its own personality. 'R.I.' features the best of their finger-cramping chord changes, 'Arctic Markings' segues neatly between howling feedback and doleful guitar work whilst 'For Your Winter Semi Formal' and 'Welcome Back' feature a slower pace and a melancholy vocal to add emotional ballast to contrast with the more angular material. Furthermore, the Josef K-esque 'Lit Doorbells' and 'Darts In The Phone' are as faultless as this type of music gets. In fact, with not so much as an average track to its name, 'Slow Gears' provides the perfect solution for those seeking a more visceral and less wordy version of Death Cab For Cutie.