Verdict (&Rating): 70's rock (70%)
More Info: http://www.mouthofclay.com/
A couple of years ago I reviewed Mouth Of Clay's debut album "What Have You Got To Loose?". Since then the band have gone through some major changes, with only drummer Ollie remaining from that line-up. In fact, in the interim Ollie has had to adjust to being an one-armed drummer. He is now joined by Chrille on guitars and Sertan on vocals, bass and hammond organ.
Although the lineup has changed, MOC's musical direction remains the same. They still draw on influences such as Deep Purple, Whitesnake, Bad Company and Led Zeppelin. The resulting sound is 70's style blues rock. The healthy dose of keyboards on many of the tracks highlights Purple are being the dominant influence coming through.
The first couple of tracks, Why Don't You and I Gave Up, set the scene with a Hammond driven 'Purple' sound. The good time party blues of "Woman In Green" adds a little Bad company to the mix. Cardigan starts of with a spacey Led Zep style before the keyboards head the band off into more familiar terratory. Thin Lizzy would appear to be the influence behind "Black Rose" in spirit if not in style.
"Like A Woman" and "Not My Style" see a whole lotta Zep/Purple fusion happening. A track called "One Man Standing" is perhaps envitable track title given the current band lineup. "Crazy Way" is the album's slow ballad. "Funk It" draws on Hughes/Coverdale era Purple, while "Long Ago" close the album.
MOC have created an album that will appeal to fans of 70's rock, especially Purple fans.
