Back in 1997 it was this () close that Mitch Malloy became the new singer in Van Halen after Sammy Hagar’s departure. That’s pretty cool. But David Lee Roth rejoined for a few minutes and then Gary Cherone (Extreme) got the part. I can’t help but to wonder what Malloy’s career would’ve looked like had he gotten that gig. Malloy’s self-titled debut album from 1992 has now gotten an almost iconic status in AOR circles and rightfully so because it’s awesome. But some albums with shifting quality followed that record and Malloy’s career took a bit of a halt. But since 2011 and his album II, the quality of his records has been very high. After Making Noise (2016) Malloy joined Great White as their singer but has since then left that band and his solo career is now back as his main focus.
Malloy opens the album in a most solid way with the uptempo AOR rocker “I’m Living In Paradise”. It’s a direct and uplifting number with slick melodies and shining vocal performances but it also holds a crunchy groove on a straight forward rhythm. The tune also comes with a great rock ‘n’ roll riff and a piano mixing up the AOR which creates a cool dynamic. The chorus is spot-on and it couldn’t be catchier if it were twins. Great stuff. The single “One Of A Kind” is a guitar driven AOR/Rock stomper that comes in mid tempo and brings on an edgy, crunchy riff. It’s an energy fueled rocker that brings on Malloy’s personal melody-hooks, slick and embracing yet not glossy or mawkish. It comes with another captivating chorus that hits home right from go. Terrific.
Already by song # 3 Malloy calls out it’s ballad-time. “Using This Song” is a soft and sparse slow-burner, mellow and melancholic with a saddening arrangement, syrupy cheese-balladry this is not. It’s a tender and warm piano-led ballad with acoustic guitars and companying strings. It’s an emotional piece with an embracing melody and a gorgeous vocal performance. Very good. “My Pleasure” sports a foundation of 70’s smelling Classic Rock that brings along a live-friendly stomp, rough and ready to rock our socks off. The melodies and Malloy’s vocal arrangement on the other hand is way slicker and brings on some smooth harmonies and an AOR-smelling touch especially on the super-catchy refrain. Great stuff.
The slower paced “Building A Bridge” holds a heavier structure and a darker nature with more edge. It brings along a fat, beefy rhythm with a hard-hitting drum-pattern and some crispy and rawer guitars where the riff is of the crunchy and meaty kind. The song comes of with a bluesier vibe and stands right by the border of Hard Rock with some stark hooks and another distinct chorus. Awesome. In “I’ll Find My Way” classic Rock ‘n’ Roll marries AOR in the best of ways. It’s a rhythmic, upbeat and robust rocker with energetic and firey structures perfect for the stage. Again, the chorus is distinct and catchy without going for a hit-search. I dig this.
Rocking guitars, an equally rocking piano and a foot-stomping rhythm with a juicy guitar and a party-friendly groove is thrown at us when “Sometimes Love” shows up. It’s a steady AOR-rocker, very in-your-face but also melodic as hell with hooks enough to sell and the chorus hits pay-dirt right off the bat. I think of “Cowboy & The Ballerina” from the debut when I hear it and you can’t go wrong with that. Killer. “You’re The Brightest Star” keeps the uptempo vibes going – upbeat, uplifting and fun-loving. It’s a happy song perfect for the summer party complete with addictive rhythms, a chunky riff, hand-claps, rocking guitars and all the infectious melodies you could ask for with a monster refrain as the icing on the cake. Simply brilliant.
No AOR/Melodic Rock album without a power ballad, right? So here it comes – “I See You”. It’s actually more of a semi-ballad with its upbeat rhythms but it is on a slower tempo. It’s orchestrated, it holds some power-pop melodies, it’s mellow yet uplifting much to the slight Gospel touches and nods towards Classic Rock. It holds a huge chorus, quite slick but never syrupy, only catchy. I smell a hit here. Damn good. The album closes with the title-track, a mid-tempo AOR number with some rockier parts and faster paced parts involved. It’s a distinct number that screams classic Malloy all the way, especially in the big chorus that sticks like glue. Good one.
I hope that the title of this album isn’t tattling of some sort of goodbye from Malloy because frankly this album is his best since the debut which kinda speaks volumes as his last few efforts has been solid affairs. Ok, so the whole go-out-with-a-bang mentality isn’t something to be laughed at but this record proves that Malloy still has a lot to offer. That said, if AOR and Melodic Rock isn’t to your liking then don’t bother but if your horizons are a bit broader there’s a lot of goodies to be found here. The production is clean and clear, just like Malloy’s voice but Malloy doesn’t go for any cheese and inserts Classic Rock and Hard rock to the equation and the result is splendid. Don’t leave us just yet, Mitch.
8/10
More Mitch Malloy reviews:
Tracklist:
1. I’m Living In Paradise
2. One Of A Kind
3. Using This Song
4. My Pleasure
5. Building A Bridge
6. I’ll Find A Way
7. Sometimes Love
8. You’re The Brightest Star
9. I See You
10. The Last Song
CD & Festival reviews 