'Loses Control' a breath of fresh air

In the age of pre-packaged pop, an album overflowing with raw energy and emotion becomes increasingly difficult to find.\nLuckily, Loses Control, the latest album from Midwest-based rock quartet Hey Mercedes, offers what is slowly but surely becoming an endangered species in mainstream CD stores.\nThe lyrics are full of passion and delivered by truly inspired vocalists/guitarists Robert Nanna and Mike Shumaker. The ensemble, which is rounded out by bassist Todd Bell and drummer Damon Atkinson, delivers a performance full of intense guitar and drum work. It's never overpowering or offensive to the ears, but compliments the intensity of the lyrics and vocals.\nAs the title suggests, though, occasionally the group borders on losing control. At just a few moments in some songs, the band seems to get so caught up in the moment that it feels their already edgy sound is going to topple into the realm of aural insanity. The moments are few and far between and are almost instantly recovered, but they're still lurking throughout the CD.\nUltimately, however, Hey Mercedes' Loses Control is relief in an increasingly stifling world of apathetic musicians and heartless albums.