Frosting : Fresh Frosting
by Joe Mis
Staff Writer
Veteran Chicago-based guitarist Mark Grzelak has recently unleashed a solo project by the name of Frosting, and of course has entitled the album Fresh Frosting.
Fresh Frosting is a refreshing mixture of rock, pop, and blues with generous acoustic passages, strong melodies and solid harmonies. Grzelak has a pleasant and homey voice – one can easily picture him sitting in his front porch with an acoustic in his lap singing for no other reason than to sing. Well written songs with catchy melodies and amusing lyrics make this album a pleasant surprise for any old-school rock fans, or anyone who enjoys the “singer-storyteller” genre. The remaining members of Frosting are fine musicians as well. Drummer Tim Lydon and bassist Manny Vasquez seem comfortable no matter what the style, and are a fine rhythm section. Mary Jane Lee plays some subtle keyboards throughout the album, never dominating but always an integral part of the music. Grzelak doesn’t hog the mic – he shares vocal duties with Laura Lopardo. Lopardo is a fine backing vocalist, a solid duet partner and really shines when she sings lead.
“Comfortable Enough” opens the album, and basically expresses the tone and attitude of the whole album – Grzelak is comfortable enough to be himself and to make the kind of music he wants to make without fear. The band mixes elements of rock, blues, folk, pop and a bit of electronica to come up with a unique sound. “Katrina Wells” and “King Dawdle” are fine old school rockers, both well written story songs that also introduce Grzelak’s fellow vocalist Laura Lopardo. “Pity Girl” is an almost pop tune with a catchy back beat and great bass line. Laura Lopardo gets to sing a haunting and beautiful lead on a cover version of Lindsey Buckingham’s “Go Insane”, and her pleasant and lush voice makes this mostly acoustic track one of the musical highlights of the CD. The up tempo rocker “Breathe Free” features some amazing bass and drum work from Vasquez and Lydon along with fine vocals by both Grzelak and Lopardo.
The humorous lyrics of the short and punchy “Top Of The World” could have only been written by a true veteran of the music scene, and this track showcases Grzelak’s guitar chops. “Last Of The Good Men” is a biting and bittersweet mostly acoustic ballad with thought provoking lyrics and top-notch performances by everyone in the band – perhaps the best track overall. If you listen to the lyrics of this tribute to Grzelak’s father-in-law carefully they may bring a tear to even the most jaded eye. “So Bad” is much more commercial sounding than the rest of the album and features fine duet vocals in the chorus. “Subculture Divided” is a slow rock reflection on modern city life, while “Ghost Town” is a lush mid-tempo track with super-smooth vocals and fine coordination between keys, bass and drums. The album wraps with the up tempo philosophy song “Ship Of Opportunity.”
Fresh Frosting is well engineered, and has a simple and warm tone. Sound quality is good across the board, with all instruments and vocals clear and pleasant. Grzelak’s experience as a performer, songwriter and producer shows clearly, and despite a modern mix of styles Frosting’s music is decidedly “homey” and laid-back.
Light and unique, Frosting’s 70s and 80s influenced sound should appeal to fans of blues-rock and old school rock. Fresh Frosting is an album both simple and complex, old fashioned and modern. Mark Grzelak and his band are a fine addition to the singer-storyteller ranks, so if you are looking for something new then have your Frosting whipped up Chicago-style. Frosting’s unique mix of styles makes them stand out in the crowd.
If you’d like a sample, Frosting has generously made two tracks available as of this writing:
“King Dawdle” at http://db.tt/5LCVrv3
“Katrina Wells” at http://db.tt/EIouOWz
Genre: Progressive Rock
Band:
Mark Grzelak (guitars, vocals)
Tim Lydon (drums)
Manny Vasquez (bass)
Laura Lopardo (vocals)
Mary Jane Lee (keyboards)
Track Listing:
1. Comfortable Enough
2. Katrina Wells
3. King Dawdle
4. Pity Girl
5. Go Insane
6. Breathe Free
7. Top Of The World
8. Last Of The Good Men
9. So Bad
10. Subculture Divided
11. Ghost Town (Bonus Track)
12. Ship Of Opportunity (Bonus Track)
Label: Kentland Records
Website: http://www.frostingusa.com/fr_frosting.cfm
Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10