Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music on Amazon!

JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Inspection Review

The Mendon House EP

David Hertweck
The Mendon House EP

Street Date: August 22, 2012
Style: Pop / Contemporary
Buy It: iTunes
Buy It: Amazon.com

Oftentimes, all it takes is a friend's guidance for a musician to get a footing and put out some music. Such was the case for singer/songwriter David Hertweck. After teaming up with an independent producer friend, Hertweck took to a small studio and recorded The Mendon House EP. The opening song, "Chosen Mystery," has some fun, upbeat piano that doesn't rely on merely chords, but the rest of the EP offers song structures that are rather quiet and simple, with a lot of basic keyboard, guitars, synth, and drums. Now, depending on a lot of different factors, this could either be good or bad. In Hertweck's case, it's actually a good thing. Hertweck doesn't seem to be aiming for lots of bells and whistles, just a simple means of providing some uplifting and worshipful songs for Jesus. A lot of the lyrics here are directly inspired by Scripture, like the allusion to Psalm 23 in the chorus of "Chosen Mystery," or Psalm 3 in "David's Song" ("You are a shield around me, You surround me, this is my story, You are my glory, and the lifter of my head"). The lyrics, as far as writing goes, go hand-in-hand with the musical simplicity, and they're both solid in this aspect. There are plenty of good things to say about The Mendon House, but there are also a couple of noticeable criticisms. The first would be the production value. This EP was recorded in a homemade studio in a garage, and it's not difficult to tell. It's very clear that they had some good hands in the producing and mastering stages, because it's not completely raw and unpolished. But at times, the songs do sound a little muffled. I think that some work could also be done vocally. Hertweck is a good singer, but if he sang a little louder, he would sound better. I'd love to hear him stretch himself in that area. In addition, "David's Song" and "Heart That's Yours," which feature a singer named Brooke Malara as the main/only vocalist, may have been better had Hertweck sung leads with Malara on background vocals or harmonies. Malara isn't a terrible singer by any means, but she's not a strong enough singer to carry either of these songs all the way without the listener missing Hertweck's voice. Altogether, David Hertweck's first outing in the music world is a step in the right direction. With some production and vocal work, he could definitely gain a decent following. Fans of The Glorious Unseen or MercyMe's lighter work will enjoy The Mendon House EP.

- Review date: 9/23/12, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Listen to the debut EP from the band Hopeful.!

 

 

 

go to main Indie review page
go to Indie Review Index

 

                 
Listen to the debut EP from the band Hopeful.!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, March 26, 2024
ALBUMS
Brandon Lake Apple Music Nashville Sessions - EP [Provident]

This Thursday, March 28, 2024
ALBUMS
David And Nicole Binion The Revelation Of Jesus - EP [Integrity]
The Rocky Valentines Erase [Velvet Blue/Tooth & Nail]

This Friday, March 29, 2024
ALBUMS
Grungepunks The Fall Blues EP [Charon Collective]
Meadows Familiar with Pain [Facedown]

SINGLES
Joe L. Barnes Altar - Single [RCAI]
iNTELLECT It Ain’t My Fault - Single [Polished Arrow]
Spoken Worth Holy Week - Double Single (independent)
Gileah Taylor Summer Jubilee - Single [Velvet Blue]

VINYL
Battlecross Pursuit of Honor (Blood Moon Vinyl) [Back Breaker]
Battlecross Rise To Power (Silver Bullet Power Vinyl) [Back Breaker]
Battlecross War of Will (Amber Wave Vinyl) [Back Breaker]

Next Friday, April 5, 2024
ALBUMS
EmanuelDaProphet Fab5 [Capitol CMG]
Me'Kayla Prelude - EP [Motown Gospel/Capitol CMG]
We Are Messengers Where the Joy is [Curb]


For all release dates, click here!
 



Listen to the new album from Hope Beyond Suffering!




Listen to the new Album From Tim Juillet!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images