(WHAT'S IN A) NAME

By Mariam Jibril

Micko & The Mellotronics make their comeback with (What’s In A) Name, a song that embodies the artistic spirit this band was born with. The group's frontman, Micko Westmoreland, is built on wonderfully inventive writing, with songs that feel as brilliant as they do devious. Each song is packed to the brim with catchy experimental elements. Following his album ½ dove – ½ pigeon, (What’s In A) Name is a further peek into the creative realm that would become his next album. The track was built with a fine selection of supporting cast members and talks about identity, class, the distinctions between free will and lack thereof, and the discrepancy between who we are and whom we are presumed to be.

The arrangement of (What’s In A) Name is not concerned with staying in a single style. More specifically, the track is built upon a sturdy footing of indie rock, but is structured in a way to make space for moments that are very unlike and much more unusual. There is a perfect mixture of structured and unconventional songwriting elements. The fact that musicians like Horace Panter of The Specials, guitarist Paul Cuddeford, Budge Magraw, Terry Edwards, Leo Abrahams, and Mike Paradinas are all a part of the song adds a much-needed depth of character and abundant experience to the track. The song does not feel like a collection of people for the sake of it. The arrangement is thick and alive.

Micko derives much of his creative inspiration from language and identity. (What’s In A)Name illustrates the adoption of a name as a gateway to a much more substantial realm. What does one’s inherited name suggest about them? What is the true extent of our personal autonomy, and how much of our identity is defined by our family, class, society, and luck? The lyrics of the song navigate the realm of risk, regret, fatalism, and, dare I say, choice, without sacrificing the song’s entertainment value and enlightening charm. Micko has a natural ability to deliver serious subject matter without resorting to delivering a school lecture; it is most appreciated. The character of Micko’s songwriting is inherently smart, lightning-in-a-bottle spontaneous, witty, and is appreciated most by those of us willing to look past what is written.

The character of Micko’s songwriting and the album overall is ultimately defined by the performances. Micko maintains his presence by delivering the verses with personality in the style of a conversation, as opposed to rigidly adhering to lyrics in the traditional verse-chorus-verse song structure. As a backdrop to Micko’s performance, the musicians take control of the song’s direction, creating a tricky yet wonderful backdrop of bass, guitar, brass, and other interesting samples. Terry Edwards’ brass performance and Mike Paradinas’ contributions to the album hint toward a more progressive side of the album. Finally, Kevin Eldon’s eccentric performance adds the icing on the cake to a truly unique musical experience.

What makes (What’s In A)Name unique is its resistance to behaving like a typical contemporary indie song. With the ease of contemporary music, Micko & The Mellotronics wrote this song that deviates from the usual. This song has established all the great elements like humor, theatrics, musicianship, and some genuine ideas. The song doesn't sacrifice its musicality for wit. There is an air of organized disorder to this song, an excellent impression that anything is going to happen next. This song is full of replay value. Wow, the song has lyrics with a lot of depth and still has an incredible amount of musicality, with catchy and colorful instrumental arrangements. For the adventurous rock listeners, this is the album you have been waiting for. Full of interesting song structures and artful songwriting.

(What’s In A)Name is another excellent example of Micko Westmoreland’s songwriting and continues to set him apart from his contemporaries. His work has a unique balance of indie rock elements and performing arts, and it is constantly surprising. His Mellotronics band injects a lot of color, and it shows in their music. They have made a song that is so captivating that the audience cannot help but sit and listen. This song is full of ideas that only the most curious people would enjoy. Listening to this song is a great way to spend your day.