When Brazil and music are being discussed, the name that always pops up is Sepultura. No matter whether you like them or not, they’re without a doubt the biggest Brazilian Rock band ever. To be honest, I’m not sure I can come up with any famous Brazilian rock bands at all. Angra maybe, but they’re hardly that famous and I’m not that much of a fan at all. That’s why it felt a bit refreshing and fun to see that one of Frontiers records newest signings hails from that country. The band was formed a few years ago by vocalist Renan Zonta – a guy I first on a couple of songs on Magnus Karlsson’s Free Fall’s latest album, also released the same month at Frontiers, Ben Hur Auwarter on guitar, Yuri Elero on bass and drummer André Leister. According to the press release, Electric Mob takes their influences from 70’s and 80’s Hard Rock and is described as a mix of Aerosmith, Guns N’ Roses and Audioslave, something that at least made my interest wake up.
The record kicks off with half-minute intro called “Awaken” – slow, stripped and earthy with a bluesy twang – which leads us into the leading single “Devil You Know”. It’s a heavier piece of work, quite raunchy still with the blues-rock bounce intact and a groovy rhythm. It’s also a groundy tune, chunky and meaty with direct live-feel. A damn good opening that leaves a desire for more. Third taster “King’s Ale” is a heavy and striking rocker with a slight country-twang, much to the banjo going off. The verses has a funky twitch to them even though the tune goes into a heavier and punchier direction when the blues-based Hard Rock chorus shows up. It’s a juicy rocker that will work splendidly from the stage – good stuff.
“Got Me Runnin'” is a down n’ dirty, slower in pace and rough rocker on a blues-rock groove and a striking rhythm. It has a Led Zeppelin Classic Rock meets Audioslave post-grunge vibe to it as well. It’s ballsy and robust yet with an effective in-your-face main-melody. Good, juicy Hard Rock to make a long story short. Latest single “Far Off” is one meaty and crunchy sleazy hard-rocker with a 70’s meets 80’s Classic Rock vibe – easily compared to a band like Great White. It’s an upbeat and raw groover with a beefy crunch, a cocky riff and a slower-in-pace yet in-your-face refrain with a striking hook. I dig this.
“Your Ghost” is a slow, bluesy and stripped rock-ballad that holds a fine mix of acoustic and electric guitars – very down-to-earth and raw. The whistling brings my mind towards Guns N’Roses rather than Scorpions and even though it does get heavier and tougher along the way, the big chunk of raw emotion and the big feel never gets lost. One of the album’s finest moments indeed. “Gypsy Touch” is slow, heavy, fat and groovy with a bouncy stomp. It’s a headbang-friendly belter with a bluesy Hard Rock vibe and some crowd-pleasing “HEY”‘s chanting. I can see a whole bunch of fist in the air in front of me while listening. It’s a sleazy little fekker with a chorus full of hooks. Very good.
“123 Burn” is a slow, meaty grinder with an instant groove. It’s stompy and raunchy on a bouncy ground with Blues-licks, an earthy outlook and a heavy yet funky rhythm. It’s a good, beefy rocker but not memorable enough, I’m afraid. The album’s second single “Upside Down” blasts away with a heavy and kicking rhythm in a fast pace. It’s a raw and robust rocker, very punchy and going for the throat. The tune strikes hard in a Foo Fighters meets mid 90’s Warrant way and could do a good job as a live-opener but as a song it’s only ok. “Higher Than Your Heels” is a groovy grinder with some souly funkiness that struts of swinging Hard Rock complete with a chunky horn-section. This is 70’s Classic Rock with a bluesy feel and a big live-feel. With a direct and strong main-melody and a chorus that hits like a ton of bricks, the tune is the album’s clear winner. Should be a single. Awesome!
“Brand New Hope” is a crunchy and rowdy rocker with a groove that could make the dead get up and shake a leg. It’s a bang-on-target, hard-skinned and beefy party-rocker that gets in your face and on your case. It’s a bit noisy at times but at the same time it’s unapologetic when it comes to doing its best to make you crack a cold one and get out of your chair and rock! Good. The album’s closing track “We Are Wrong” might be slower in pace but still has a swing that will make you dizzy and it strikes hard with a punchy and tough beat. It holds a memorable and strong melody and a huge and catchy chorus that refuses to go Pop at all. A quiet and stripped mid-passage brings us to a heavier groove and the song ends on a sullen note, quite peaceful with gorgeous piano arrangement. Fact is, this tune reminds me not so little of Inglorious – which is a good thing. A great way to say goodbye for this time.
First of all, I have to mention singer Renan Zonta again. What a voice. His set of pipes are up there with newer dudes like Ronnie Romero, Nathan James and Dino Jelusic. No matter how far Electric Mob will go (or not go) in the future, this is a guy we will be hearing more from in the future. As for this record, it’s a reasonably solid effort but not without flaws. The guys brings on a base of 70’s Classic Rock and Hard Rock with a bluesy, raw and organic feel with a touch of the 80’s and modern Hard Rock. While this band is full of potential, some songs are a bit too forgettable – remember I never said bad – something I think experience might be the cure for. That said, there are enough of memorable rockers here to warrant a purchase or at least giving them more than one spin on some steaming-site. I also imagine that this lot could come off like a great live-act. An approved debut that bodes well for the future.
6/10
Tracklist:
2. Devil You Know
3. King’s Ale
4. Got Me Runnin’
5. Far Off
6. Your Ghost
7. Gypsy Touch
8. 123 Burn
9. Upside Down
10. Higher Than Your Heels
11. Brand New Rope
12. We Are Wrong
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