Real Close Ones by The M’s

I’m not really sure how to classify The M’s. I heard their first EP (which is now the first four tracks of their eponymous debut album) in 2003, after they opened for Wilco in a free outdoor concert (whose occurrence still has me amazed), and loved it. It has a garage sound, with twangy guitars and vocals that sound more than a little like George Harrison (especially on “Banishment of Love”), and with so much catchiness and hooks, I figured the only reason it wasn’t playing on the radio was because they were a new band that seemed to be only known in the Chicago area. Then, when The M’s released their sophomore album, “Future Women,” in 2006, I expected to hear it on the radio; while no less catchy than the original, this album was more mature, with the band adding a variety of instruments to their initial garage sound (creating some really unique, beautiful tracks, reminiscent of the later Beatles sound). But nobody seemed to notice, and shortly after, I stopped listening to the radio.

Two years later, “Real Close Ones” brings to mind another famous British rock band: The Rolling Stones. The first time I heard this album, I thought it was good, but not as creative or sprawling as “Future Women.” After another listen or two, I realized how superb the album really was; it was not trying to be “Future Women,” but something entirely different. Like “Exile on Main St.” (one of my all-time favorites), it is occasionally sparse, the vocals are fairly subdued, and the band is often accompanied by blues/gospel piano, brass, and backup singing. The best of these tracks is “How Could You,” (which could easily fit into “Exile” or “Beggars Banquet,” with the Jagger-esque vocals, backing trumpets and pianos, and soul-singing ending), but two no less fantastic tracks deviate from the album’s style in the same manner as “Sympathy for the Devil” and “Gimme Shelter” for the Stones in the late 60s. Specifically, “Naked” is ridiculously catchy, and plays like creepy Harry Nilsson (”Coconut”), and “Big Sound” like a more raucous “Rocks Off.” Overall, there is not a bad track on the entire album. But it’s a shame that this band has not achieved the level of recognition they deserve.

Immediate Catchiness: 2.5/5
Long-Term Playability: 4.5/5
Favorite Tracks: Big Sound, Breakfast Score, Ultraviolent Men, Naked, How Could You