MAD MARGRITT
"Animal" (Perris Records; 2007)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
Mad Margritt's "Animal" nails the sound of 80s metal square on the head. If you're a fan of that era's Warrant, Slaughter and Kiss records, you'll find something to enjoy on this CD.
Solid songwriting, crunchy power chords, gratuitous leads and a vocalist who sounds more than a little like Jani Lane of the aforementioned Warrant. These are the ingredients of "Animal." If you didn't know the CD was released in 2007, you'd swear it came from the era when Quiet Riot was king of the charts.
Its strength is also its weakness. Although "Animal" flawlessly emulates the early days of heavy metal, it also sounds a tad dated. Don't get me wrong. I realize it's supposed to sound that way, but there's no getting around the lack of originality, intentional or not. It also doesn't help that there are only six full-length tracks here (the seventh being a 30-second instrumental) and the album seems to be over too soon after it started.
A blast from the past from the present, "Animal" does what it sets out to: Celebrate the classic metal sound.
Best track: "Loaded Gun."
Mad Margritt: Eddie Smith - vocals and guitar; Scott Banks - guitar and keyboards; Skip Mullis - bass; Danny Belli - drums.
For more information, check out http://www.madmargritt.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2008 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 18 Mar 2024 11:16:03 -0500.
