Mineral was formed by Chris Simpson(Vocals, Guitar), Scott McCarver(Guitar), Jeremy Gomez
(Bass) Gabriel Wiley (drums) around the Texas area in the mid 90’s. In retrospect, Mineral was
one of the earliest incarnations of what we know today as Emo. They toured with greats like
Christie Front Drive, The Promise Ring, and Jimmy Eat World. In 1997 after generating a lot of
traction in their local music scene, they released The Power Of Failing through Crank! Records.
Mineral is probably my favorite band of all time. This record along with their sophomore album
&Seranading has changed my life with their sound and introspective lyrics. What this album
accomplished in 50 minutes has affected me more than any other record I’ve heard. Its
beautiful, and noisy and whiney and all at the same time crushing with visceral power that
mineral embodies in this record. Every song makes sense and has aspects and dynamics that
can shock and shake you with emotion.
It’s almost insane how this record starts with Five, Eight and Ten. The start of seeing minerals
talents. This song is riddled with great riffs and dynamic play between the distortion and hearing
Chris Simpson’s longing voice almost crying into the microphone. The duality between the two
can send chills down your spine.
The second song on this album is Gloria which I have always felt was the most attractive to the
average person on this album. The instrumentation displayed on this song I feel would go on to
inspire many artists in the genre and has always remained a highlight of the album for me. The
lyrics on this song are just great time “I just want to be something more than the blood in your
eyes.” In an interview I listened to a while ago with Chris Simpson he talked about how he writes
his lyrics like poetry and I can definitely hear it. The lyricism displayed throughout the album
almost make it so anybody who tries to do the same thing is copying Chris
The next track is Slower which was the song Mineral felt really made what their sound for the
record was going to be. The crunchiness of the distortion and feedback on this song is insane.
This song follows what I call minerals standard on this album, 4-5 minute song, harrowing lyrics
that make you question your youth and insane instrumentals that range from the most delicate
riff you’ve heard to the most emotionally aggressive. Its this dynamic that flows you throughout
this project and something that Ive never heard recreated before.
The Next Track is Dolorosa which repeats lyrics throughout the song and is filled with religious
symbolism. This track seems like it would fit on their sophomore album better but it doesn’t take
away from the album. Its just in their later projects that would follow this songs format with their
lyricism, making it more sparse and focusing on the instrumentation. This song is essentially
one long build-up, the last minute of this song is one you have to stick around. Again, something
that I think nobody has even come close to being able to emit through their voice. A song that
has brought tears to my eyes because of how powerful it is. Also, it has kinda a solo part which
we don’t see too much from Mineral.
