Mass - Crack of Dawn
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7.8 |
Editor review
Artist ... Mass
Album ... Crack of Dawn
These guys signed there first record contract in 1985, which begs the question why have I never come across them before? To say this band have been around a while is an understatement.
Down the years Mass have shared the same stage with the likes of Molly Hatchet, Winger, Cheap Trick and countless others.
On to the album and the opening track, "Its You" is a perfect opener for almost any album you could think of, catchy guitars, pounding drums with a very good vocal performance and a chorus that will have wishing you could get it out of your head. The title track then continues where the opener left off and I'm left thinking that this album is going to be one hell of a ride as Louis D'Augusta just lets his voice take over and stamp his authority all over this album and we are still only on track 2!
Tracks 3 and 4 carry on with the pace set by the opening two songs with solid performances in every department. Its not until about half way through that we get anything that resembles a ballad in "Hello" which has got US hit single wrote all over it yet it manages to sit very comfortable on this album with ease.
Track 6, "Magic Train" sees the band pick up the pace again this time with harmonica thrown in for good measure and again it sounds right at home. "Monkey Brain" then reverts back to the style of the opening tracks without stopping for a rest. "Sweet Lady Jane" has class and is a belter of a song even at this late stage, when other bands are throwing a "filler" song at us, Mass just keep giving first class songs to you.
Tracks 9 and 10 continue with this high quality set early in this platter of songs unashamed and unbowed with no intention of slowing the pace down. "Leaving You" is a little gem which can't make its mind up if its a ballad or a rocker and it is this swapping of styles that make this one work so well.
"Who Am I", the albums finale is maybe the weakest song of all those on offer here, but somehow does not spoil the overall listen experience of a record that turned out to be a very pleasant surprise indeed.
As for the question I asked at the beginning of this review, why have I never come across them before?
Maybe I have, a thousand times ... it's just that this band do it much better than most of the other bands trying to get ahead in this genre.
My honest opinion ... go and buy it, you won't be disappointed.
BAND
Louis D'Augusta (vocals)
Gene D'Itria (guitar, backing vocals)
Lou Spagnola (bass, backing vocals)
Joey "Vee" Vadala (drums)
| Track Listing | 1. It's you
2. Crack of dawn
3. Someday
4. Empty soul
5. Hello
6. Magic train
7. Monkey brain
8. Sweet lady Jane
9. Seven days (bonus track)
10. Leaving you
11. Castle
12. Who am I |
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| Overall rating: |
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7.8 |
| Artwork: |
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8.0 |
| Production: |
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8.0 |
| Music Quality: |
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8.0 |
| Lyrics: |
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7.0 |
| Overall: |
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8.0 |
Reviewed by Doug
June 09, 2007
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