Mr. Dream
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Headquarters | Brooklyn, New York , United States |
| Products | Punk rock music, albums, EPs, singles |
Mr. Dream was a punk rock band originating from the United States. Their first album, Trash Hit, debuted on March 1, 2011. Following their disbandment, they posthumously released The Ultimate in Luxury on July 7, 2014.
History
Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, the lineup of Mr. Dream included Adam Moerder (vocals and guitar), Matt Morello (vocals and bass), and Nick Sylvester (drums and producer). Moerder contributed articles to outlets such as The New Yorker and Pitchfork, while Sylvester wrote for both the Village Voice and Pitchfork.
Moerder and Sylvester initially connected at the Harvard Lampoon. Several years after completing their studies, they moved to Brooklyn with Morello to establish Mr. Dream. They self-financed their projects and, with assistance from friends, successfully raised over $3,000 through Kickstarter to fund the production of Mr. Dream Goes to Jail, a four-track EP released on vinyl exclusively for supporters.
The group was active in performing throughout the New York City area, sharing bills with artists such as Sleigh Bells and M.I.A. at Coco 66 in May 2010. To support Trash Hit, they toured as openers for CSS and Sleigh Bells across Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston—marking their initial performances beyond their home city. Additionally, they served as the opening act for Archers of Loaf during a June 2011 show in New York.
The Ultimate in Luxury (2014)
On October 23, 2013, Mr. Dream revealed plans for their full-length album The Ultimate in Luxury, initially slated for release at an unspecified date ("TK"). The album’s lead track, "Fringy Slider," drew attention for its sonic parallels to early work by Franz Ferdinand.
Critics responded positively to the record, describing it as both "slimy and sweet" and a "glamorously sardonic eulogy." It was made available for streaming via SoundCloud and issued on cassette through Godmode Records, which offered buyers an optional essay penned by band members Moerder or Sylvester.
Critical reception
Mr. Dream received significant acclaim from reviewers; Stereogum included them among the top 40 emerging bands of 2010 due to their intelligent and audacious songwriting style. The Fader praised them as a distinctive alternative to conventional lo-fi groups, while Matthew Perpetua of Fluxblog lauded their combination of cerebral themes with energetic rock performance. Their sound invited comparisons to bands including Franz Ferdinand, The Jesus Lizard, Pixies, Hüsker Dü, and The Wipers.
Albums
- The Ultimate in Luxury (2014)
- Fatherland (2012)
- Trash Hit (2011)
- No Girls Allowed (EP) (2010)
- Mr. Dream Goes to Jail (EP) (2009)
Demos
- Criminal Record (2010)
Singles
- "Fringy Slider" (October 2013)
- "What a Mess" (January 2012)
- "The Room" (January 2012)
- "Knuckle Sandwich" (February 2010)
- "Scarred for Life" (July 2010)
- "Learn the Language" (October 2010)
- "Crime" (January 2011)
- "Moneybags" (August 2011)