MESH A PERFECT SOLUTION ALBUM DEPENDENT, METROPOLIS RELEASE: OCTOBER 23, 2009, NOVEMBER 3, 2009 (USA) REVIEW: OCTOBER 27, 2009

A new Mesh album always brings high expectations with it. A lot has happened since the charismatic Brits brought us the masterful "We Collide" in 2006. Neil Taylor has left the band and it was not until fairly recently that they found suitable new label partners in German Dependent Records and US Metropolis Records. Will "A Perfect Solution" throw them further up the international charts?

Essentially, Mesh will always be about quality. In every aspect of the musical process. Song writing, production, vocals, execution. Everything just radiates perfection. This new album is no exception. From the mid tempo, gritty rock monster "If We Stay Here", dealing with the ambivalent anxiety of moving on, to the fast paced closing theme of "The Bitter End". There is a heavier tilt towards acoustic (or at least acoustic sounding) instruments on "A Perfect Solution" than ever before, paving the way for a possible international breakthrough. Although, without proper radio play and overall promotion I'm afraid Rich and Mark won't get to label themselves rock stars just yet. The potential is undeniably there, however. Single track "Only Better" would surely be an MTV hit if backed with the right resources.

A personal, more electronic, highlight is the emotional "Is It So Hard?". The patented Mesh verse-chorus transformation is in evidence and Mark delivers one of his best vocal performances ever. A first for the band is the track "Who Says", where Technoir's Julia Beyer joins Hockings for a spry and colourful duet.

Like I said, Mesh equals quality. And if they were ever to break on an international level, here and now is the time and place. A bit commercial for my own taste, but "A Perfect Solution" is a very strong pop album indeed.

NIKLAS FORSBERG