by Alissa Ordabai
– Senior Columnist —
Some bands have invented Classic Rock, some took decades to become classic, but George Lynch managed to latch on to the formula right off the bat — ever since his first release in 1983 with Dokken. The space-rocking riffs straight out of the Led Zeppelin workbook, the prototypal, canonical grooves and — of course — the unique tone which simply hasn’t existed before him (and which remains his gift to the genre) made Lynch an instant golden standard of hard rock.
A journey which took this guitar hero from the glittering pinnacle of MTV-era stardom to exploring his Native American heritage continues to open new doors while keeping him firmly grounded in this signature style. On the new record Lynch’s trademark roiling grooves beefed up by the fattest, burliest mid-range in business, remain where they have always been — at the center of his terrain. Same goes for instant-grip vocal melodies, as on standout “Kingdom of Slaves” — an epic slow-tempo anthem where Oni Logan’s voice oscillates between Dio-esque grand style and his own gritty intensity.
But highlights such as “The Hollow Queen” and “The Ledge” expand the band’s usual scope, swaying toward elegant Prog Rock, gauzy solos, and quaint arrangements. Secluded spots will always remain the most fascinating in any band’s universe, and here these fine-grained cuts become the most savory treat of the album.
Although solid, compact songwriting and trademark guitar leads that spin simple ideas into multidirectional trajectories are there on each track, the band saves the biggest knockout for the very end. Closer “War” is not only an immediately memorable masterstroke, but also boasts some of the most effortlessly brilliant, expansive solos Lynch ever played. This is when you realize that only the best players can afford a clear-cut, transparent style, and that the moment is right every time for this directness to take spotlight from overdone trends and tired fashions.
Genre: Hard Rock
Personnel:
George Lynch – guitars
Oni Logan – vocals
Jeff Pilson – bass
Brian Tichy – drums
Track List:
1. Automatic Fix
2. Between the Truth and a Lie
3. Testify
4. Sanctuary
5. Pine Tree Avenue
6. Jelly Roll
7. Dirty Money
8. The Hollow Queen
9. The Ledge
10. Kingdom of Slaves
11. War
Label: Frontiers Music
Online: www.facebook.com/LynchMobOfficial
Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10
