LYNCH MOB - review added 4th September 2009
Album Review: Smoke And Mirrors (2009)
For fans of: Hard Rock... and son of Dokken
Lynch Mob was formed by Grammy-nominated guitarist George Lynch after he left Dokken in 1989. The debut album, Wicked Sensation was released in 1990 and followed 2 years later by a self-titled release. The band was put on hiatus for several years when George re-joined Dokken, then reappeared before the end of the decade with a couple more LP's.
Smoke And Mirrors is the first Lynch Mob studio album since 2003's REvolution, and the first to feature vocalist Oni Logan since Wicked Sensation. George says “Smoke And Mirrors is the record we should have put out as a follow up to Wicked Sensation...better late than never I guess”. Clearly the man has high hopes for this release.
Completing the line-up alongside George and Oni is über-in-demand bassist Marco Mendoza (Ted Nugent, Soul SirkUS, Whitesnake) and drummer Scott Coogan (Brides of Destruction, Ace Frehley).
The sound is as tight as a mosquito's sphincter and beautifully produced. The production doesn't dominate proceedings though; the rawness of the musicianship still comes through in a gin-clear fashion and every note has it's own personality. That's all well and good but It's not all positive. Considering this is an album featuring one of the world's most respected guitarists, it's a surprise how little George Lynch struts his stuff. The guitar playing is of course beyond reproach, but there's little on the album that blows you away. The overall sound is cohesive and very much a band as a whole, not a guitarist with backing. Whether this is a good or bad thing is up to the individual listener, but a few more fret-fantastic fireworks wouldn't have gone amiss.
The songs too lack a modicum of drama. None of them are bad, some of them are actually very good, but few if any are shoot-you-in-the-toe phenomenal. It's almost a play-safe album - like they've focused on creating a solid all rounder rather than taking a few experimental chances. The result is undoubtedly successful but not in the same ball park I expected.
Opening track '21st Century Man' is a spot-on example. It's a song you'd happily listen to on the radio and, in principle, it's very competent indeed. There's little about it that's memorable however - it doesn't send a shiver down the spine - and to be honest I expected more. The title track's Southern musings will charm you and confuse in you equal measures. For me 'The Phacist' is the best track. It's a pacy stomp-fest with a big sound and energetic chorus. Good stuff.
The result is a fine, classy listen and will have you spinning it through numerous times. It's a grower and worth spending time with. Admittedly it took a lot of effort to get into and that will be enough to put people off. Smoke And Mirrors is worth the effort, trust me on this one.
Check out... 'The Phacist'
Track List:
01. 21st Century Man
02. Smoke And Mirrors
03. Lucky Man
04. My Kind Of Healer
05. Time Keepers
06. Revolution Heroes
07. Let The Music Be Your Master
08. The Phacist
09. Where Do You Sleep At Night
10. Madly Backwards
11. We Will Remain
12. Before I Close My Eyes
13. Mansions In The Sky (Bonus Track)
Label: Frontiers
Artist's website(s): MySpace
