by Matman
Concept albums by definition can be quite pretentious and full of themselves. Having an entire album dedicated to a story can sometimes be too much for a listener to connect too. Plus, trying to make every song fit the concept can be hard to make... well, good! For every THE WALL (Pink Floyd) and MISPLACED CHILDHOOD (Marillion) we have a bunch of (fill in the blank with your least favorite concept album. For the Mood Groove, the concept on SOME LEFT, SOME STAYED is pretty easy to follow... a night at a club or hall with a band just playing some great songs that have a common thread, but manage to be unique in their own way. Like Frank Zappa's more than classic, JOE'S GARAGE, SOME LEFT, SOME STAYED has a narrator much less offensive than the Central Scrutinizer, but here, the M.C. sets the tone for the 'show'. Like any good live band, the 'set list' has a great running order of songs like Loop Out, Peace Of Mind and Transistor Bath House (my favorite on the album) all have a real free flow/jam style going on that really makes you feel you are listening to a live band in a loud, hot, sweaty venue. On stage anything can happen, and here anything does happen. The band; JK Northrup (guitars, backing vocals), Ed Balldinger (lead vocals/acoustic guitar), Larry Hart (Bass) and Glenn Hicks (drums) with many guests listed below have created a super cool and very easy to get into vibe. The album is quite original and modern with some nods (at least to my ears) to Sammy Hagar, Black Crowes, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kid Rock, The Muppets and a bit of Led Zeppelin, so you get a lot to listen to... without trying to hard. F-U-N!!!! This album is perfect for a nice relaxing car ride. Sometimes musicians try to hard or want to always say something with their music, here The Mood Groove just wants to say "hey man, listen to this album, and let all your cares just melt away. Peace." MATMAN RATING - 8 OUT OF 10 COOL FLASHBACKS SOME LEFT, SOME STAYED will be released on February 29, 2020. For pre-order info, click here Guest performers: Eric Ragno- Keyboards (Fiction Syxx, The Babys, Graham Bonnet, China Blue) Paul Holdgate- Lead and Backing Vocals (Montrose) Randy Scoles- Lead and Backing Vocals (Montrose) Steve Brown- Backing Vocals (Montrose, Oleander) Diana Short- Backing Vocals (Red Sky Sunrise) Buddy Davis- Backing Vocals
1 Comment
Ed Pearson
1/24/2020 09:45:18 am
I was around JK in high school and met Glen when he was 21 they played at Western Ranches Club house Doc's sky room and the court yard at his sisters apartment complex just to name a few. the talent was always there Good job JK and Glen having the time of your life with the other greats in your ban.
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Let's Rock!The Power Chords Podcast is a twice-monthly podcast celebrating rock and metal music of the '70s, '80s, '90s and beyond. The show is co-hosted by Matt Herring and Brian LeTendre. Archives
June 2020
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