Mystery of Two (Exit Stencil)

By Christine Shuster

I never know what to expect when I’m faced with an experimental rock band. You could end up listening to virtually anything when you hit that play button. Cleveland’s Mystery of Two – on their second, self-titled album – are definitely making some goods sounds with their experimental rock. Singer/guitarist Ryan Weitzel’s captivating baritone vocals are a great compliment to the music’s darker sounds. With Nick Riley’s steady drum beats and Jeff Deasey’s rhythmic bass slamming, Mystery of Two provide a sturdy foundation to their songs. Their music continually propels forward, and it’s very easy to lose yourself in. Weitzel comes out of nowhere with talented guitar jams that grab your attention, and rip you from whatever thought may have been going through your head.

The opening track, “Gravity,” first pulls you in with its catchy guitar rhythm, and then let’s Weitzel’s vocals hijack your ears. Mystery of Two then hits you with some power guitar, paired with Weitzel’s vocals, strongly closing out this great opening track. “The Spark Is Sweet,” the fourth track on their LP, hooks you in with different musical layers, and looped repetition. It’s like a musical black hole that just drags you in. Another strong track is “Swimming.” This one has even more catchy guitar rhythms, over an almost subliminal-like bass.

Mystery of Two is one experimental rock band worth listening to. This album doesn’t disappoint on any of its tracks. The only downfall is that there aren’t more tracks of this.