5 Stars
Audio CD (paid link)
Everyone who has ever played music, or even just bent an interested ear to a tune, has been influenced; Mambo Sons have obviously been listening to only the best in their formative years. If you like Humble Pie, the Faces, early AC/DC, with all the music given a twist of Connecticut, and believe quite rightly that every band should have a guitar player that sounds like Keith Richards, then it’s a no-brainer that you instantly fall in love with this album – and with Mambo Sons.
The dial is set on Classic Rock Music, something you can tap a foot to, or nod along with a mug of beer in your hand at the bar of Tahitian Queen on Beach Road during its famous Friday Afternoon Rock & Roll Happy Hour. Just ask the D.J., he will turn you onto Mambo Sons.
Every song is a little gem. The opener ‘I Get Around Too Much’ sets the tone right up front with its filthy opening guitar licks and good fun tongue in cheek lyrics as the band lock into that Mambo groove. ‘River is Wide’ is an absolute classic in the middle of the album; ‘Rockaway’ shows that the boys can slow it down and show their more tender side (even cowboys have feelings, you know); a lovely tribute to George Harrison with ‘Our Time is Getting Closer’.
The Beatles on the wall and
Mott The Hoople on his chest.
Mott’s own personnel favorite ‘79’ with its gut wrenching guitar licks and snarling vocals, which must be show stopping when live; and ‘Everything Was Mine’ brings the album to a rousing conclusion. Once this pandemic is truly over I’m sure the Mambos will be back on the road.
Every song has its own, very strong melody, and the musicianship is flawless. The band only plays whatever is necessary, but not needlessly cluttering things up with a hundred notes when ten will do perfectly; thank you. With this back to basics approach in the arrangements, the album comes across with a timeless feel. I cannot recommend this album enough to lovers of good old fashioned, no frills rock & roll.
If it’s head banging nu-metal that you are after, then you might be barking up the wrong tree with Mambo Sons, but if you just want to kick up some dirt and have a good time, I suggest you look no further. You can also have some fun listening out for all the name checks scattered about amongst the lyrics. ‘Mambo Sons Play Some Rock and Roll’ would sum up this review in seven words.
Written by Mott The Dog.
Remember to visit and subscribe to Mott’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1003417143122919/
Click here for Mott’s reviews and links of great music from the past
Mott’s reviews of new releases can be found by clicking here
have now been playing
music together for forty years.
Tom Guerra and Joe Lemieux.
