Three years ago Brazilian Classic Rock/Hard Rock act Electric Mob released their debut album Discharge. The press release tattled of influences from bands such as Aerosmith, Guns N’ Roses and Audioslave, something that caught my interest much because of the fact that every time you hear anything about Brazilian bands it’s more extreme Metal stuff – and Sepultura of course – so it was nice to see what a more melodic laden band from Brazil would have to offer. The album did provide us with with well-performed and well-produced Hard Rock with influences from both the 70’s and 80’s – and lead singer Renan Zonta (also in Skills with Billy Sheehan, Brad Gillis and David Huff) turned out to be a real find.
The album, however, was a bit underwhelming. Not bad by any means but it contained a couple of fillers too many and I found the record hard to linger. When the band now appears again it’s with the same line-up of Zonta, guitarist Ben Hur Auwarter, bassist Yuri Elero and drummer André Leister and to be honest, I wasn’t really sure what to expect before giving the record a go. Hell, after three years I didn’t even know if the band was still around or not. Apparently they are.
The opening track and the album’s first single “Sun Is Falling” tells us this lot has something really cool going on this time. The song starts out soft, sombre and laid-back with a touch reminiscent of Rival Sons so there’s a definitive 70’s vibe there. This more fragile structure goes back with each verse. The chorus, however, is hard, heavy and ballsy with some rough-edged Led Zeppelin influenced riffage and an attacking vocal-line that hits right on the jaw an brings on an intense catchiness. This is some seriously killer stuff. It may not have radio-hit written all over it but it’s a great song that sticks.
“Will Shine” bursts loose with more Zep-like riffage over a muscular and a fat, heavy rhythm. It’s a rowdy rocker, thunderous and powerful on a solid groove. The chorus is faster and quite slammin’ and robust yet with a striking melody-hook, quite intense and it really takes a stranglehold on you. Very good. On a rootsy and organic note “It’s Gonna Hurt” reminds me once again of Rival Sons albeit heavier. There’s a darker touch to the song as well as a beefy groove which makes it perfect for the stage. The chorus is a real kidney-punch too but at the same it brings on a fierce hook which makes it stick from go. Very good.
Second single “By The Name Of (nanana)” is one energetic rocker. It’s a heavy piece with an intense groove that blends some funky moments with 70’s Classic Rock over a fat and beefy beat. It’s an electrifying, stompy hard rocker with an edgy and raucous riff and a prominent live-feel all over with distinct and direct melodies and a rock-hooky chorus with a chest full of memorability. Great stuff. “Soul Stealer” comes in a mid-pace yet on a muscular foundation with a rhythmic swing and some dirty, gritty riffage. It’s a meaty and tough number yet with lots of striking melodies and another jaw-breaking chorus that hits like a ton of bricks. Very good.
The single “4 Letters” comes with more sparse and held-back verses with acoustic and clean electric guitars yet on a quite rhythmic ground. However, the big chorus ups the tempo and brings on some fatter guitars on a crunchier note and the tune takes an edgier attitude. It’s a very melodic number and the chorus holds the most pop-hooks on the whole album – very catchy and very good. “Locked n Loaded” is a sleazy number with lots of grit but also with a good dose of party vibes. It contains a massive, foot-stomping groove and raunchy guitars. There’s a big late 80’s, Sunset Strip flirting attitude here with an intense, in-your-face and crowd-friendly chorus. A stellar number.
“Saddest Funk Ever”, another single, isn’t sad at all but it is funky – at least the über-groovy bass lines. The opening slap-bass intro is reminiscent of the Red Hot Chili Peppers but while keeping the funkiness it soon transfers into a succulent rocker with a raw edge and a big 70’s vibe. Also, the bridge throws a metal-fueled riff our way so there are a few cool contrasts that creates a prominent dynamic. Again, the chorus hook is splendid and hits the target right away. Very good. “Thy Kingdom Come” starts out with a twangy western acoustic guitar but soon attacks with a rough guitar riff and a punchy rhythm that hits right in the jugular. It’s a kick-ass rocker in a faster tempo. It’s quite ferocious and heavy with strike-hard melodies. Good one.
The latest single “Love Cage” is a raunchy, rootsy and big grooved slightly funky rocker with a big 70’s rhythmic swing. It’s raw and dirty yet melodic with a smooth main melody and the chunky guitar riff is really catchy. The chorus brings on a monster-hook so catchy it hurts and this tune screams hit for miles. Killer stuff. Closing track and second latest single “Watch Me (I’m Todays News)” starts out on a mellow note, laid-back and fragile with a slightly psychedelic, dreamy atmosphere. It goes into a heavier stomp on a Classic Rock groove with a rowdy guitar and a ballsy rhythm on a faster tempo and the song alternates between the slow and sombre and fast and kicking. The chorus is faultless with a glueing melody. A great way to say goodbye for now.
As the debut album was uneven and underwhelming at times but showed potential I kind of expected this one to better but that it would be this much better is a very pleasant surprise. On this album, Electric Mob have found their style and the experience to write and arrange a damn good song. It’s a melodic album but it’s never glossy or even smooth. It’s a rough yet diverse Hard Rock album with grit and edge with a beefy production – very in-your-face. The music is quite 70’s based yet done in a modern way so it’s not Greta Van Fleet/Rival Sons retro at all. Thumbs up from this guy who’s already looking forward to the next one.
8/10
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Tracklist:
1. Sun Is Falling
2. Will Shine
3. It’s Gonna Hurt
4. By The Name Of (nanana)
5. Soul Stealer
6. 4 Letters
7. Locked n Loaded
8. Saddest Funk Ever
9. Thy Kingdom Come
10. Love Cage
11. Watch Me (I’m Today’s News)
CD & Festival reviews 