REVIEW: Mozes and the Firstborn - Mozes and the Firstborn

I generally expect to find garage pop from band in places like Seattle, Austin, San Francisco, Fullerton, and even Melbourne.  But given how badly the Dutch kicked the world's collective ass in long-track speed skating this month, I shouldn't be surprised that my new favorite garage pop album is the self-titled release from the Netherlands' Mozes and the Firstborn.  Of course, it isn't a complete surprise because the record is released by Burger Records, which for me is ground zero of garage pop these days.

Mozes and the Firstborn is Melle Dielesen, Corto Blommaert, Raven Aartsen, and Ernst-Jan van Doorn, and they are from Eindhoven and Antwerp.  The band's name has its origin the animated movie Prince of Egypt, which Melle watched numerous times as a youth.  The band's music has its roots in the energy of youth and the DIY attitude and confidence that fuels the best indie music.  It is rock and roll that has no shame in showing its rough edges, or its influences.  And whether you are nodding to the garage of "Bloodsucker" or "I Got Skills", the sublime folky ballad "Skinny Girl", the British Invasion of "Peter Jr." or "What's Wrong, Mama", or the grungy "Time's A Headache", I suspect that you will have as good a time listening to the album as the band had in making it.  It really comes down to attitude. Just pretend you at at the Holland House after a Dutch sweep of another skating event, and the good times and euphoria will flow.

The band is touring in the US right now, and the remaining dates, including their SXSW show, are listed at the bottom of this post.






Mozes and the Firstborn is available in CD, digital and vinyl formats.  By the way, if you want more of Mozes and the Firstborn, here is their December EP.

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Remaining tour dates:

Tue. Feb. 25 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court

Wed. Feb. 26 - Boise, ID @ Flying M Coffee

Thu. Feb. 27 - Portland, OR @ Bunk Bar

Sun. Mar. 2 - Seattle, WA @ Barboza

Wed. Mar. 5 - San Francisco, CA @ Bottom Of The Hill

Tue. Mar. 11-16 - Austin, TX @ SXSW

Fri. Mar. 21-22 - Santa Ana, CA @ Burgerama III