It only seems like a few seconds ago George Lynch released his solo album ‘Shadow Train’ and that itself came so soon after the debut from Sweet and Lynch earlier this year: add to that last year’s KXM debut and Lynch Mob’s ‘Sun Red Sun’ and you have a rather large outpouring of work in a little over 12 months.
A new Lynch Mob album though is always worth waiting for especially after last years ‘Sun Red Sun’ and what you get here is another solid release even if opener ‘Automatic Fix’ is a little harder than much of the remainder of the album which takes a more soulful bluesy line. But hey since when has kicking off with a song that is essentially a hard-hitting slab of Hard Rock with a Metal edge a bad way to open the account?
‘Between the Truth and a Lie’ by contrast is blues-edged hard rocker with a sweet chorus and a cool riff and in the same vein ‘Testify’ has a slow bluesy burn that is even more satisfying .
This is an album of two styles though – the heavier outlook – which on tracks like ‘Sanctuary’ Lynch Mob walks that line between heavy and the more earthy blues; and that more blues-based approach – like the swagger of ‘Pine Tree Avenue’ which almost has a Bad Co feel to it, and certainly ticks all the boxes Hard Rock fans will love.
Up until ‘Jelly Roll’ it’s almost as if all the elements have been lining up to come to fruition – it’s a great song and one of our favourites here, though in truth there’s a lot more to like on ‘Rebel’ and both Logan, Lynch and the band – completed by Brian Tichy and Jeff Pilson, manage to shine throughout.
Take ‘Dirty Money’ as just one example of where everything coalesces to form a really fine whole; with Oni Logan at the peak of his powers, or the slow and heavy ‘Sanctuary’ which has a real fire in its belly. Each time you play this one you just see something more and at the moment ‘The Ledge’ is on repeat play – a ballad that hits the spot with some fine guitar work.
One for old fans and new. This may not end up being your favourite Lynch Mob album, in truth a tough ask with a band with a 25 year legacy, but it’s a mature Lynch Mob that gives us ‘Rebel’ and it’s well worth shouting about.
