by John Kindred
– Publisher —
Guitar virtuoso George Lynch is back for the attack with another new project, which provides the musical support for his upcoming documentary on the plight of modern Native American Indians. The documentary, titled Shadow Nation, partially lends its name to Lynch’s two-CD music project called Shadow Train.
With this current musical venture, Lynch surrounds himself with a new group of musicians. The Shadow Train band comprises vocalist Gregg Analla (a descendant of the Isleta Pueblo Indian tribe); bassist Gabe Rosales, who recorded on Lynch Mob’s Smoke This studio album; keyboardist Donnie Dickman; and drummer Jimmy D’Anda.
The deluxe edition two-CD, 18-track studio album highlights Lynch’s signature guitar style. And it should be noted that this band effort is not specifically a “Lynch” solo excursion. The music is atmospheric, eclectic and explorative, and it taps into the Bluesy, Hard Rock genres with which Lynch thrives.
Lyrically, there is no hiding the social commentary; it voices the plight of Native American Indians as the United States deliberately diminishes the value of its historical narrative of the original strong, proud independent nations of North America. While the imagery and the documentary sell the concept of the injustices done to the Native American Indian tribes, the lyrics also explore socioeconomic inequalities and touches on materialism, environmentalism, racism and elitism, among other issues. Vocally, Analla provides the perfect complement to Lynch’s serpentine fretwork. His voice brings influences from the Rock genre, along with his own Native American cultural background, which invites listeners into the diverse multicultural experience of Shadow Train.
The second CD offers music fans a glimpse into the creative exploration of a band looking for an identity. It tastefully combines years of collective experience among individual musicians and produces what is an eclectic soundtrack of music that became the definitive roadmap to the group’s musical soul. The canvas leans on atmospheric arrangements highlighted by Lynch’s guitar, but it also is driven by the vocals, bass and drums and is polished by the keys.
CD No. 1 actually was recorded after the second CD. The newer set of songs is a collaborative effort of five guys who spent a whole lot of time knocking around together, working on the documentary, writing and performing. Going back into the studio, the band created an additional nine songs that showcase a matured vibe, which is a tighter assimilation of the Shadow Train sound. The canvas is painted with words and music that are reflective and maybe controversial (depending on your point of view), but they most certainly are thought provoking.
The music on Shadow Train certainly sees Lynch reaching for the pinnacle of his career, where all the stars align and that one moment of clarity is achieved. Built upon the backs of his early bands, including The Boys, Dokken, Lynch Mob, his solo work, instrumental albums and projects (KXM, Sweet & Lynch, Lynch/Pilson), Lynch never has stopped striving to attain the elusive carrot. Partnering with Gregg Analla, Gabe Rosales, Donnie Dickman and Jimmy D’Anda, Shadow Train’s self-titled studio album is a defining moment for Lynch and his fellow bandmates.
“I’ve spent more than four decades of my life pursuing elusive musical aspirations. But, for even longer than that, I’ve cared, studied and thought deeply about the human condition and how we interact with each other and the world around us. Fusing these two aspirations into one has been a challenge for me throughout my creative life. This is my attempt at bonding the music and the message into one cohesive whole.” – George Lynch.
Here’s hoping that the new Lynch Mob is as good as or better than Shadow Train. Right now, Shadow Train offers Lynch fans some of his best written and recorded music to date.
Genre: Hard Rock, Native American
Band:
Gregg Analla (v)
George Lynch (g)
Gabe Rosales (b)t
Donnie Dickman (k)
Jimmy D’Anda (d)
Track Listing:
Disc: 1
1. Vulture
2. Currency of Lies
3. Power and Resistance
4. Now It s Dark
5. Vulture (Slight Return)
6. I Am Weapon
7. Ghost
8. White Clay
9. Fight No More
Disc: 2
1. Believe
2. Blinded
3. Fallen
4. Glitter
5. Prayer Mechanism
6. Sioux Wake Up
7. Trail of Tears
8. Under A Crooked Sky
9. World on Fire
Label: Rat Pak Records
Web: http://www.ratpakrecordsamerica.com/george-lynch
Hardrock Haven rating: 10/10
That’s his best release in a long time! Some sick chords and sweet groove in “I Am Weapon,” among quite a few other tracks off that release. Analla has some wicked pipes. Glad to see Gabe back in the mix. I probably won’t get sick of listening to this album for a long time!
Great review and spot on. George and the rest of the band REALLY hit it out of the park with this masterpiece. I have enjoyed it so far immensely and find myself wanting to listen to it nonstop! I Am Weapon is probably my early favorite but the others are amazing too. It’s refreshing to see a rocker like George who could easily just fly under the radar and do his thing for selfish reasons really spread his activist wings and show the world what a great human being he is on top of being a guitar hero. Thanks to everyone involved in making Shadowtrain and Shadow Nation. it needed to be done.