Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!
Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!

JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Inspection Review

The Mendon House EP

David Hertweck
The Mendon House EP

Street Date: August 22, 2012
Style: Pop / Contemporary
Buy It: iTunes
Buy It: Amazon.com

Oftentimes, all it takes is a friend's guidance for a musician to get a footing and put out some music. Such was the case for singer/songwriter David Hertweck. After teaming up with an independent producer friend, Hertweck took to a small studio and recorded The Mendon House EP. The opening song, "Chosen Mystery," has some fun, upbeat piano that doesn't rely on merely chords, but the rest of the EP offers song structures that are rather quiet and simple, with a lot of basic keyboard, guitars, synth, and drums. Now, depending on a lot of different factors, this could either be good or bad. In Hertweck's case, it's actually a good thing. Hertweck doesn't seem to be aiming for lots of bells and whistles, just a simple means of providing some uplifting and worshipful songs for Jesus. A lot of the lyrics here are directly inspired by Scripture, like the allusion to Psalm 23 in the chorus of "Chosen Mystery," or Psalm 3 in "David's Song" ("You are a shield around me, You surround me, this is my story, You are my glory, and the lifter of my head"). The lyrics, as far as writing goes, go hand-in-hand with the musical simplicity, and they're both solid in this aspect. There are plenty of good things to say about The Mendon House, but there are also a couple of noticeable criticisms. The first would be the production value. This EP was recorded in a homemade studio in a garage, and it's not difficult to tell. It's very clear that they had some good hands in the producing and mastering stages, because it's not completely raw and unpolished. But at times, the songs do sound a little muffled. I think that some work could also be done vocally. Hertweck is a good singer, but if he sang a little louder, he would sound better. I'd love to hear him stretch himself in that area. In addition, "David's Song" and "Heart That's Yours," which feature a singer named Brooke Malara as the main/only vocalist, may have been better had Hertweck sung leads with Malara on background vocals or harmonies. Malara isn't a terrible singer by any means, but she's not a strong enough singer to carry either of these songs all the way without the listener missing Hertweck's voice. Altogether, David Hertweck's first outing in the music world is a step in the right direction. With some production and vocal work, he could definitely gain a decent following. Fans of The Glorious Unseen or MercyMe's lighter work will enjoy The Mendon House EP.

- Review date: 9/23/12, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

 

 

go to main Indie review page
go to Indie Review Index

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH



This Friday, June 27, 2025
ALBUMS
7eventh Time Down We Praise You [BEC]
The Browns 25th Anniversary: Better Days Ahead [StowTown]
Franni Cash Wild Child - EP [Capitol CMG]
Matt Crocker interlude [Anotherland]
Jimmy Fortune Songs of an American Dreamer [Gaither]
Roxanne Grace Road Trip - EP [DREAM]
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise The Live Reunion: Washington, DC [James Town]
Kutless The Seventh Seal - EP [BEC]
Evvie McKinney It Ain't Over - EP (independent)
Rusty Shipp Capsized Empire (independent)
SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)
We Are Messengers A Thousand Times - EP [Curb]

SINGLES
Anchor & Braille Rattlesnake - Single [Equal Vision]
ANTHNY imposter syndrome - Single [Provident]
Blanca Right On Time - Single [Curb]
Landry Cantrell & Elenee sunshine & rainbows - Single [DREAM]
Eddie Clark Never Content - Single [Syntax]
Colony House Atomic - Single [Roon]
Megan Danielle Preachin' To The Choir - Single [Provident]
Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Don't Try Me (DTM) - Single [Syntax]
ELI GABLE Glory Bound - Single [Capitol CMG]
Joseph Habedank Running to Me - Single [Daywind]
Lonnie Hunter Flow (Like A River) - Single [Uncle G]
Kashh Kade HELP - Single [Syntax]
KB x KEANU Keanu's Song - Single [Provident]
Tasha Layton Singing In the Dark - Single [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Hand That Keeps Holding - Single [Motown Gospel]
Claire Leslie Thank God I'm Not Alone (from Claire's Phone) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Tim Lovelace Celebration of America Medley (feat. Charlie McCoy) - Single [StowTown]
Lecrae Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry) - Single [Reach]
LO Worship The Perfect Love of Jesus - Single [Integrity]
Patrick Mayberry Thank The Lord - Single [Provident]
Michael Monroe John The Baptist (feat. Chris Renzema) - Single [Provident]
Alexander Pappas A Great Awakening / Un Nuevo Despertar - Single [Integrity]
PEABOD Summer in Seattle - Single [RMG Amplify]
Rave Jesus Walk On The Water Remix (From The Chosen) - Single [Provident]
The Rocky Valentines Nat Song - Single [Velvet Blue]
Tommy Royale, gio. Like Dat - Single [Capitol CMG]
Saints In Exile & Cutright My Dead End (ft. Jeannie Ortega, Luc DiMarzio, Jericko) - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Take Care (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]

DVD
Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, July 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Chad Cory America [DREAM]
Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images