Recalling in equal measure the passion and soul of early Pretenders, the wrecked majesty of Harry Nilsson's Pussy Cats album, and the humor and
indignation of the great Mekons, the Mendoza Line's Full of Light and Full of Fire is a meditation on the abuse of power and those who are left in its
wake: the spiritually and economically disenfranchised, the isolated and ruined, those who are lost or are simply trying to disappear.
Amid the record's potent cocktail of rousing drinking songs, spirited protest anthems, and fond narrative accounts of the frail and forgotten are the tales
of a despondent young mother who pinches her sleeping infant to get his attention, and dreams of being swallowed by the ocean ("Water Surrounds");
a delusional world leader who declares "the fiction is fact!" and drives his country into war and chaos ("Pipe Stories"); an Oedipa Mass-like truth seeker
obsessed with the uncovering of a secret conspiracy ("Mysterious In Black"); and a weathered and senile couple attempting to piece together the faded
details of their life together ("Our Love Is Like A Wire"). Topical concerns loom, ominously shadowing more private and personal struggles. Shannon
McArdle sings bitterly of the plight of the oppressed women of Saudi Arabia, placing herself in first person while recounting the various acts of boundless
cruelty suffered at the hands of American allies in "Golden Boy (Torture In The Shed)."
Seven albums into their career, the Mendoza Line's rollicking sound is unmistakable; Full of Light and Full of Fire doesn't alter much of the Mendoza
Line's musical blueprint, an elaborate alchemy of classic sounds with contemporary pop sensibility. But lyrically, Full of Light and Full of Fire is a
subversive statement, an ambitious artistic feat penned in a familiar hand.
Moral bigots and moneyed self-interests have now, by means of subterfuge, slight of hand and sheer brute force, begun the process of inextricably
changing the meaning and motives of that place the Mendoza Line calls home. They, in turn, offer this resounding valedictory summation of the themes
of avarice, lust, lechery, and ethical and spiritual corruption which have long consumed them. The encroaching specter of government run amok and
immoral is in evidence up and down the dial: "put on the hood/pull off the drawers," "I'm going to put the screws on you," "they can always read your
mail."
This is the second Valley Forge: Full of Light and Full of Fire is something to keep warm by.
“An extraordinarily interesting, varied and vibrant work.” The Washington Post
“Indie pop, baroque country-folk and new wave are whipped into an amiable froth that manages to simultaneously evoke X,
Richard and Linda Thompson, early Wilco and Elvis Costello.” No Depression
“Their most confident sounding release. Few bands can make desperation sound so all-embracing and enticing.” **** Mojo
“The most likable record of the year, a toothpick Blonde On Blonde held together with chewing gum.” Village Voice
Artist: The Mendoza Line
Title: Full of Light and Full of Fire
Label: Misra
Catalog #: MSR37
Street date: November 22, 2005
Format: CD
List Price: $14.98
1405 Broadmoor Drive
Austin TX 78723
www.misrarecords.com
>> Previous Mendoza Line albums were on best of the year lists
in Magnet, Uncut and Spin
>> Mendoza Line’s last album Fortune received rave reviews in
Maxim, Blender,Spin,Harp,No Depressin, Magnet, Uncut,Mojo
and countless others.
>> They are one of venerable rock critic Greil Marcus’ favorite
bands and he has written about their previous four releases.
>> Press by Tag Team Media
>> Previous tours with Nada Surf, The Handsome Family,
Okkervil River and Neko Case
>> Retail promotion by Flea Marketing
>> Free promotional MP3 downloads available on various
websites including Pitchfork, Insound and more
1. Water Surrounds 2. Catch A Collapsing Star 3. Golden Boy (Torture in the Shed) 4. Rat’s Alley
5. Settle Down, Zelda 6. Pipe Stories 7. Name Names 8. Mysterious in Black 9. Morbid Craving
10. The Lethal Temptress 11. Our Love Is Like A Wire