New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


?>

 

Makin Waves Record of the Week: “Return of the Lentils” by Yawn Mower


By Bob Makin

originally published: 07/10/2020


Asbury Park-based two-piece Yawn Mower’s “Return of the Lentils” marks their fifth release by North Jersey indie Mint 400 Records. PHOTO BY NICK CUCCI

With their latest EP, “Return of the Lentils,” Asbury Park two-piece Yawn Mower ditch Mike Chick’s baritone guitar in place of synths, shakers, strings and bass. But longtime bandmate and co-vocalist Biff Swenson remains rock steady behind the drums, including a particularly inventive use of the bass variety. 

Recorded with Andy Bova at Simple Sounds Studios in Little Silver and Pat Noon at eightsixteen studios in Toms River over a longer period of time than either Yawn Mower or their many fans expected, “Return of the Lentils” offers three songs to the world via the North Jersey label, Mint 400 Records. The band’s fifth outing on the prolific indie begins with “Earworm II: The Sequel,” a catchy bit of mind candy that isn’t a follow-up to anything previously released but does feature haunting guest vocals by Rachel Hook of Out Like Lambs that were captured within the fine acoustics of her laundry room. 

The standout “Ghostriding the Arc” is next featuring Dey Bishop of the Toms River rap trio Trapbang, whose contribution came while battling COVID. The song fuses energetic EDM, staccato spoken word, and fuzzy garage rock into a sonic ride that builds a shimmering vibe only to implode with Dey’s venomous rap. In the immortal words of the Lucky Charms leprechaun, it’s magically delicious!   




Promote your shows at New Jersey Stage! Click here for info



Closing the 12-minute mini collection is cover of The Rentals’ “Friends of P,” whose 1995 “Return of the Rentals” LP on Reprise Records inspired Yawn Mower’s title.

Yawn Mower are looking to play some gigs. So if you need a rockin’ two-piece who also may be able to serve as landscapers or lentils, hook them up! 

 

 




Promote your shows at New Jersey Stage! Click here for info



Bob Makin is a reporter for MyCentralJersey.com and the former managing editor of The Aquarian Weekly, which launched this column in 1988. Contact him via email and like Makin Waves on Facebook.



New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.

FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Straight

Straight No Chaser - Summer: The 90’s Part 2

Tuesday, July 08, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

Frisson

Frisson Winds

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 7:30pm
The Morris Museum Back Deck
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

Three

Three American Troubadours: A Tribute to James Taylor, Carly Simon, and Carole King

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Axelrod Performing Arts Center
100 Grant Avenue, Deal Park, NJ 07723
category: music


 

Candlelight

Candlelight Concert: Tribute to Queen and The Beatles

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music


 

Motor

Motor City Revue

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Bell Theater
101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
category: music


 


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Jazz

Jazz Concert at Trenton City Museum will Feature the Joe Baione Vibraphone Experience

(TRENTON, NJ) -- Trenton City Museum will present a free jazz concert Friday, July 18, 2025 at the museum's Ellarslie Mansion in Cadwalader Park. Featuring world-renowned vibraphonist Joe Baione, the Joe Baione Vibraphone Experience is the first group to perform in a series of jazz events leading up to the museum's 2026 TRENTON MAKES JAZZ exhibition, in collaboration with the City of Trenton.



The

The Newton Theatre presents Tonight's the Night - a tribute to Rod Stewart

(NEWTON, NJ) -- Tonight's the Night - a tribute band that celebrates the music of Rod Stewart - will perform at The Newton Theatre on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 8:00pm.



Hoboken's

Hoboken's Sinatra Park to Host Concert by Freedy Johnson and Karyn Kuhl and the Gang

(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Local events organizer, Geri Fallo, who retired last year, is inviting you to celebrate with her, as she embraces new and exciting endeavors. Come enjoy a free evening of music in Hoboken's Sinatra Park (525 Sinatra Drive) on Thursday, July 17, 2025. The evening is presented by Mayor Ravi Bhalla, The Hoboken Division of Cultural Affairs, and Geri Fallo. The event is free, and music starts at 6:30pm. Come early for the best seating.



An

An Interview with Dan Kurtz of The New Deal

Formed in 1999, Toronto, Canada based trio The New Deal, is a pioneer in jam-based electronic music. The group was founded by remaining members Dan Kurtz (bass) and Jamie Shields (keys), along with Darren Shearer (drums) who left tND in 2011. Since its inception, tND has remained committed to its improvisational roots and has served as a model for other jamtronica bands bridging the gap between multiple music genres as well as the border between Canada and the United States.



Two

Two NJ Jazz Musicians Will Play with The Jazz Ambassadors in Morristown

Pianist Anthony Pocetti grew up in Hamilton, NJ, studying piano, "doing sort of traditional piano lessons. I have an uncle who was always encouraging me to get into the jazz thing. He gave me the (Miles Davis) Kind of Blue CD, and he knew that the jazz pianist Jim Ridl was living in Hamilton."