Lynch Mob Smoke and Mirrors

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by John Kindred
Staff Writer

Lynch Mob fans have been waiting for years for the return of Oni Logan and a new full-length album to go along with it. Although a brief reunion in ’98 produced the three-song EP SYZYGY, nothing materialized from those efforts. Various incarnations of Lynch Mob came after, but nothing of real substance developed. Now, 19 years after the release of the first Lynch Mob album Wicked Sensation, fans finally get what they have wanted.

With Oni Logan behind the microphone and Lynch on guitars, the only major change is the rhythm section. Enter new Mob recruits; bassist Marco Mendoza (Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy) and drummer Scot Coogan (Brides of Destruction, Ace Frehley).

Logan’s bluesy, gritty voice unleashes infectious melodies on top of Lynch’s hook-laden guitar riffs. Lynch’s use of legato phrasing and exotic scales are all over Smoke and Mirrors. The groove put down by Mendoza and Coogan give the canvas the foundation for which Logan and Lynch add color and depth to the music. The album is rich with arena-anthem choruses, slithering guitar rhythms and searing solos, melodic bass progressions and tight percussion.

Opening the CD with “21st Century Man,” the band formally declares their return. Built along a traditional Lynch rhythmic progression, Logan promptly enters the foray right where he left off from Wicked Sensation in the ‘90s. The song is ripe with melody and features a catchy vocal hook. Lynch proves that he can lie back within a song and let it breath as the band build it into a melodramatic production. That is evident on the title track “Smoke and Mirrors.” Guitar layers, whether semi-acoustic electric or full-on distorted overtones, play an integral role in making the song move and slither to and fro. “Lucky Man” latches on to another big chorus, melodic solo. It’s definitely an all L & L (Lynch and Logan)-style of song.

The majority of the album combines the same attributes. On “Where Do You Sleep At Night,” Logan’s voice has a different vocal timbre. It’s hard to say what the change is, but he sounds more like Doug Pinnick of King’s X with less grit and more polish. The song has a Hendrix- inspired guitar driven groove. “Madly Backwards” features a cool vocal melody. Here, Logan’s vocals appear to be doubled-track, which puts his voice up front in the mix. He moves from a softer mid-timbre to his edgy, grittier delivery. “Before I Close My Eyes” is the more apparent love song on the album. It’s a song of reminiscing and declaration of love’s binding promises and features a memorable chorus.

Dubbed as a “world-bonus” track, the final song “Mansions in the Sky” closes the album. Again, it has what can be called the L & L signature songwriting style. This, again, is another number that breathes within the verses, with the guitar playing a soft melody and building to a powerful hook-laden chorus.

Smoke and Mirrors purposely was written with the same style and fluidity as Lynch Mob’s debut CD. Obviously, Logan and Lynch have matured and experimented over the years. Each has been involved in various music projects. So fans can expect subtle changes in the musicians’ performances, but, for the most, part Lynch Mob are able to harness the bluesy, hard rock vibe of Wicked Sensation.

Label: Frontiers Records
Web: www.georgelynch.com

Band:
George Lynch (g)
Oni Logan (v)
Marco Mendoza (b)
Scot Coogan (d)

Track listing:
1. 21st Century Man
2. Smoke and Mirrors
3. Lucky Man
4. My Kind Of Healer
5. Time Keepers
6. Revolution Hero
8. Let The Music Be Your Master
9. The Fascist
10. Where Do You Sleep at Night?
11. Madly Backwards
12. We Will Remain
13. Before I Close My Eyes
14. Mansions In The Sky (Bonus Track)

HRH Rating: 9/10