Rising out of the brightly dull flame that is the pre-postmodern Edina scene, Mise en Place provide a blast of soothing, fresh air to those in search of not-quite-rocking-but-on-the-brink-of-it melodicism. The drummer's fits and starts are like smooth, half-hearted brush strokes that find the canvas on occasion. The high guitarist effects his tone and bends his noise pastiche around the clicks and clanks of the low guitarist, who occasionally varies his pitch as he says things into a microphone. Lastly (and certainly not leastly), the bassist serves as a pedestal in the center of an unimpressively large gallery display, laying the foundation for the music while cleverly avoiding the root of whatever chord is in play as frequently as possible. Yes, the gentlemen of Mise en Place have arrived to entertain you . . . and they almost seem interested.
