Mighty Music
September 16th 2022
Melodic Rock
Line Up:
Marco Mendoza – Lead Vocals/Bass
Soren Anderson – Guitar/Keyboards/Producer
Tommy Gentry – Guitar
Mortem Hellborn – Drums
Allan Tschicaja – Drums
Tracklist:
1 – Take It To The Limit
2 – I Just Can’t Get Over You
3 – Light It Up
4 – Walk Next To You
5 – Shoot For The Stars
6 – All That I’m Living For
7 – Free Ride
8 – Can’t Explain It
9 – Scream And Shout
10 – New Direction
If you don’t know the name Marco Mendoza then shame on you. Since the mid 90’s this man has been THE go-to guy when a bass player is needed. I’ve seen him perform with Ted Nugent, Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy, Black Star Riders and The Dead Daisies plus he’s worked with Journey, Lynch Mob, Blue Murder, Dolores O’Riordon and Right Said Fred (seriously!) and a whole host of others. Not just a side man or a session cat Marco not only plays the bass expertly he also has a fine set of pipes which is evidenced right here on this his fourth solo album.
Sirens Wail opening ‘Take It To The Limit’ then Soren Anderson cranks out a lick whilst Marco and one of the drummers join in before Anderson gets going on a wonderful three chord riff that oozes fun – like Slade or Quo – party rock that gets you going and continues on ‘I Just Can’t Get Over You’ which features some sublime guitar licks which are heavy and melodic. Marco’s bass is front and centre on ‘Light It Up’ which could be a great stripper song, funky, chunky and really sexy and those lead lines are stunning. Here we go with a countrified ballad ‘Walk Next To You’ total lighter/phonelight waving action here. Things get choppy on the ultra-positive ear worm ‘Shoot For The Stars’ which will be picked up by a sports team no doubt. ‘All That I’m Living For’ gets heavier but no less melodic with a stomp along call and response then ‘Free Ride’ gets the sexy groove thing going again before the southern ‘Can’t Explain It’ has you dreaming of heading towards a setting sun on a vast horizon. Hold on to your hats for a proper beer drinking anthem sized rocker ‘Scream And Shout’. Marco shows his unrepentant Beatles worship on the closing title track.
Summer’s here and this is the soundtrack! Chock full of upbeat positivity which is most welcome after the shithouse 18 months we’ve had. This ain’t gonna cure any nasty bugs but by crikey it makes you feel a whole lot better. Crank this up with a few cold ones or open the car windows and share it with the world – people need to hear this. I’m off to play it again with a few beers and get happy – AGAIN!
Score: 9/10
Reviewed by: Smudge
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