Mest hail from Chicago but their hearts are in the Southern California-style punk made famous by Green Day and Goldfinger. (In fact, this release was produced by Goldfinger's John Feldmann, who also encouraged the band to... more » record their first demo tape.) The result sounds too much like their influences. Though solid and crunchy, the songs on Wasting Time, Mest's major-label debut, mostly come across as anonymous-sounding anthems for the hyperactive skateboard set. However, there are a couple of moments when the band proves that there's muscle beneath the mush. The hilariously titled "Richard Marxism" sears, cajoles, and busts out with a hook as big as a Blink 182 single. "Drawing Board" has the same vibe, with the overdubbed harmonies of frontman Tony Lavato adding a necessary melancholic twinge to the tune. Still, this one's for die-hard power-pop fans only. --Jason Josephes« less
Mest hail from Chicago but their hearts are in the Southern California-style punk made famous by Green Day and Goldfinger. (In fact, this release was produced by Goldfinger's John Feldmann, who also encouraged the band to record their first demo tape.) The result sounds too much like their influences. Though solid and crunchy, the songs on Wasting Time, Mest's major-label debut, mostly come across as anonymous-sounding anthems for the hyperactive skateboard set. However, there are a couple of moments when the band proves that there's muscle beneath the mush. The hilariously titled "Richard Marxism" sears, cajoles, and busts out with a hook as big as a Blink 182 single. "Drawing Board" has the same vibe, with the overdubbed harmonies of frontman Tony Lavato adding a necessary melancholic twinge to the tune. Still, this one's for die-hard power-pop fans only. --Jason Josephes
Erica F. from GILBERT, AZ Reviewed on 2/23/2007...
I love Mest, just don't listen to them much anymore. CD in great condition.
CD Reviews
The Best Album Blink 182 and Goldfinger Never Put Out
Damien Nathan | Anywhere But Here | 07/26/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Chicago locals Mest are anything but a Chicago band. They are textbook So Cal rock, a pop punk unit with a nasal vocalist and an army of power chords. But unlike most of their peers, Mest really wants to be a pop punk group, not a multi platinum punk band. Mest has gotten their chops from the latest albums released by Blink 182 and MxPx, and they've mastered their sound. "Wasting Time", their debut album, is a lot more fun and laidback than "Enema Of The State" or "The Everpassing Moment". Each song is fun to listen to and comes equipped with its own memorable hook. At times, Mest moves away from their traditional sound, "What The Dillio" is funked up pop punk, and "Drawing Board" is straightforward rock & roll, but both songs are just as fun and exciting as Mest's adventures in pop punk. The result: Mest jumps ahead of the pop punk back with a more fun and (dare I say it?) more mature album than their peers. "Wasting Time" is a smart investment."
Listening to this will not be a waste of your time...
Damien Nathan | 11/11/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love this CD. I own all four Mest albums, and I think that this one is my favorite. 1. Long Days, Long Nights- 9/10- good opener for the CD, pretty good song.
2. Hotel Room- 11/10- my second favorite song on the CD, the vocals are amazing.
3. What's The Dillio?- 10/10- extremely catchy, more of the pop-punk style that Mest is like today, great song.
4. Slow Motion- 7/10- Personally I think this is the low point of the album, I just don't like this song very much.
5. Drawing Board- 12/10- Simply an amazing song, everything just fits, the vocals, the lyrics...You can also find this track on their next album Destination Unknown.
6. Change- 9/10- good song, I really like the acoustic part at the beginning.
7. Forget You- 8/10- Once again the greatness of this album takes a dip with this track, the songs that Tony doesn't sing just aren't as good...
8. Electric Baby- 11/10- I love this song! It's cute and sounds like a love song from a couple of decades ago except there's a twist: "There's two loves that I have in this world, my electric guitar, my electric girl..." It's great!
9. Girl For Tonight- 10/10- A great song, especially for all of the groupies out there.
10. Lonely Days- 9/10- Good song, I like the lyrics, you can relate easily.
11. Richard Marxism- 8/10- I really don't understand this song, the music is pretty good
12. Random Arrival- 8/10- This is a good song with a really positive message.
13. The Last Time- 9/10- The simplicity of the lyrics and speedy music makes for a great track.
14. Wasting My Time- 11/10- Perfect way to end a great album."
An awesome cd
Taylor | a punk/emo/punkpop fan | 09/12/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Whoah...this CD is incredible. This is Mest's best CD, closely followed by Destination Unknown. All of the songs are very upbeat, fast, and well-written. Tony's got an amazing voice, and, along with Nick's great drumming, Matt's bass, and Jeremiah's awesome guitar skills, this CD is a must-have if you are a fan of punk, punk-pop, emo, or alternative rock. BUY IT!!
Long Days, Long Nights (8/10) a great, fast-paced song that really starts the CD off right
Hotel Room (10/10) one of the best on the album, Tony's voice goes so perfect with the catchiness of this song. An AWESOME song
What's the Dillo (6/10) this is the only song I dont personally like, its too repeatative and annoying or something
Slow Motion (9.5/10) I love this song. Its just like the name, slow at first with great guitarness (haha not a word but whatever) and then it suddenly goes into this fast melody. A great song on this album
Drawing Board (9/10) a lot of people could relate to this song, having been dumped and continually writing songs about them but knowing theyll never like it. A highlight of the album, though a bit slower, its a really cool song
Change (7/10) Its a really cool song; the beginning is boring but it gets better. My 2nd lest favorite on the cd but still cool
Forget You (8/10) good lyrics, I would like it better if tony sang it but still a great song, another many people (like me) can relate to
Electric Baby (8/10) a funny song, well-written, very awesome
Girl For Tonight (10/10) From this song up, I would say this CD gets more awesome than ever thought imaginable. An incredible song, very upbeat and punk-poppish
Lonely Days (10/10) a great thing about mest, so many of their songs you can relate to. This is another one, about being alone and so torn and just wanting to be with someone but knowing you cant. Fast-paced, upbeat, catchy; a highlight of the album
Richard Marxism (9/10) another song song by Jeremiah. With this song, though, a more serious one, his voice goes perfectly with the beat and melody of this song. An awesome song
Random Arrival (10/10) Love this song, a definite party song. Nick's drumming is highlighted in this song and this song really gets you in a fun mood. Highlight of the album
The Last Time (11/10) fastest song on the album, one of my personal favorites. I can relate to this one a lot and a lot of people could too. An extremely catchy, upbeat, and fun song
Wasting My Time (12/20) best song on the CD, slow at first and then unpredictably (the first time you hear it anyway) goes into a fast, sincere beat that is just amzaing. Great way to finish the album. LOVE THIS SONG !!
BONUS TRACK: F*** the Greyhound Bus (9/10) hilarious!! the bonus track, very funny
"
The chicago boys rock
billie rose | P-Town AZ | 10/07/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Personally I love MEST and Wasting Time is an amazing follow up to 'Mo Money Mo 40z'!
If you like Goldfinger, you'll love MEST, and you'll love this CD.
This is one of my favourite CD's in my colection and frankly you can't go wrong with MEST!"
A great punk cd from a great punk band!
Carmella D Fanelli | Carbondale, PA United States | 09/19/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Hey I really like this cd a lot. After seeing mest play with Goldfinger (another great punk band!) at the end of August I had to get this album. I also got their other cd mo' money mo' 40 oz's. Both albums rock. Mest were really great live! All the kids were going nuts when they played and they were very energetic. I like the whole album a lot but my favorites tunes off it are long days long nights, hotel room, drawing board, random arrival, richard marxism, and wasting time so I suggest everyone go out and get this rad album from a great band!"