Album Review: Mere Theory - 'Catalan Atlas'

28 August 2007 | 7:08 pm | Staff Writer
Originally Appeared In

The wait was worth it…

More Mere Theory More Mere Theory

For close to five years “Mere

Theory” has been one of Adelaide’s best keep secrets. Their ability

to write disjointed but catchy rock songs is something that most bands

in the genre spend a life time trying to achieve.  

Don't miss a beat with our FREE daily newsletter


“Catalan Atlas” is hands down

one of the best Australian releases of the year, and if there’s any

justice in the world, it should finally see “Mere Theory”

achieve the same kind of success as groups like Gyroscope and Blueline

Medic. 


“Catalan Atlas” is the first

recording that new vocalist Chris Mellow has been a part of… and what

a find this guy is. Having already gone through two singers I was concerned

that some of “Mere Theory’s” spark may have been lost however

album opener “Every End” quickly put an end to my worries. Let’s

just say that if you’re a fan of soaring, epic melodies then you will

love this track! 


Guitarist Nigel Black has outdone

himself yet again. His trademark stop/start riffing is still an important

part of the “Mere Theory” sound but the consistency of the song

writing on “Catalan Atlas” has far exceeded anything the band has

done previously.  


The melody that the guitar parts

create is as infectious as any pop song you’d care to name and when

you couple it with Chris’s vocal prowess, you’re left with some

of the most memorable tunes a local band has churned out in a very

long time. 


Richard Stoltz production job

on “Catalan Atlas” is some of his best work yet. The long hours

that went into this record have paid off because every riff, every drum

beat and every bass line cut their way through the mix AND the vocals

actually sound real! Always refreshing to hear a band that can actually

pull off their songs without the aid of studio tricks! 


For my money, “Gracefully”,

“Stand Up” and “Stabilise” are the strongest tracks on the record

but after saying that, every time I listen to “Catalan Atlas” I

find something else I love about it. 


“Mere Theory” is one of those

bands that don’t come along very often. They don’t buck to trends

and they write the music that makes them happy. The fact that we, the

listeners happen to enjoy what they do is just a bonus. Make sure you

pick up this record and check the band out live… you’ll thank me

later. 


  1. Every End Is A New

    Beginning

  2. You Will Never Win
  3. Gracefully
  4. Stand Up
  5. Stabilise
  6. Breath (Take This

    Vaccine)

  7. Design Of Influence
  8. Eye For An Eye