California-based Hard Rock band Lynch Mob has had a storied twenty-six year career starting in 1989 with former Dokken guitarist and drummer, George Lynch and Mick Brown, with the band’s debut album, Wicked Sensation, released the following year with on and off again lead singer, Oni Logan. This album is considered one Lynch Mob’s best and was followed strongly by 1992’s self-titled release. Sadly, the tides were changing in the Rock landscape and Grunge took over airwaves, thus leaving Mr. George Lynch to explore other musical avenues and put Lynch Mob on the shelf. Dusting The Mob off, Lynch turned heads with their comeback album in 1999 entitled Smoke This, which crossed boundaries into a Rap Metal style. Bringing back one-time vocalist Robert Manson, 2003 saw the release of REvolution where the band re-worked older Dokken tracks. Although, fans were hungry for new Lynch Mob songs, and in 2009, Logan returned once again on vocals for the band’s new album Smoke and Mirrors.
Some fans may say Smoke and Mirrors was a turning point for the new generation of Lynch Mob, and, since then, the band has been consistently active touring and releasing EPs even while Lynch has dabbled in other projects including 2014’s Sweet and Lynch release of Only To Rise. In fact, in 2014, Lynch Mob released the full-length record Sun Red Sun, so it came as much surprise to hear that less than a year later they were back with another full-length release, entitled Rebel. Released back on August 21st via Frontiers Music, Rebel features Logan on vocals, Lynch on guitar, along with Ex-Dokken/current Foreigner bassist Jeff Pilson, and seasons veteran Brian Tichy on drums.
Eleven tracks in total, Rebel, beginning with “Automatic Fix,” starts with a drum roll and an immediate riff that carries throughout. It is here Logan wastes no time asserting himself, easily delivering his lines. Clocking in at just over six minutes, listeners can really hang with the song of the band’s love of Rock. Next, “Between the Truth and a Lie” starts with a strong driving bassline and a bluesy riff. There is a swagger to the melody that accentuates the message of someone not being able to have the cake and eat it too.
Moving on, “Testify” slows the tempo, but keeps the Rock with a hymnal flavor as the grinding guitars and the ever-present driving drums accompany Logan singing about the high, religious-like feeling of performing. Thereafter, “Sanctuary” returns to the harder Metal, and this track has a Dokken-esque feel with Lynch’s opening riff. It is followed by light Funk drums as Logan speaks his opening lyrics, then, turning into the melody as he sings how the world used to be. Next, “Pine Tree Avenue” takes the listener on a journey through the past to a funky, retro beat harkening to the ’70s with the lyrics, “Sometimes when I reach back/I can feel those days.” Staying with the Funk vibe, “Jelly Roll” comes in with its bass riff and head nodding beat as Logan sings of masculine sexuality. Matching the mood, Lynch’s solo oozes the sexuality Logan sings about with sexy warbles as accents.
Slicing things up with a fresh jam session vibe, “Dirty Money” features guitars that have a shifty slide that breaks into the melody with a beeper sound bite. Adding texture, Logan’s voice seems to slur a bit like he is singing out of the side of his mouth like the “pssst, come here” guy. Grinding in next is “The Hollow Queen,” a power ballad without being a power ballad with a basic melody as the Hollow Queen seems to be a metaphor for escapism. With a brooding intro, “The Ledge” is a case of misdirection as melodic guitars soar and drums sweep while Logan sings of having a moment with someone special in hopes of rekindling a relationship.
Keeping Rebel going strong, “Kingdom of Slaves” is straight Blues with a Swing riff and matching drums in this song of social commentary about how society is a slave to striving to be the top of whatever they do, to be known. Then, finally, “War” brings Rebel to a close with social commentary about the zealots that claim war on anyone in the name of their god in this up-tempo piece an anthemic beat as Lynch shreds the fret.
It is clear Lynch has been hard at work over the past few years collecting song ideas and thus why fans have two consecutive studio albums year after year. Rebel is traditional Metal filled with social commentary and a bit of sexuality amidst the tracklist, making it a pretty well-rounded album anybody could get into. The band is currently touring in support of Rebel through next year with Jimmy D’Anda on drums (Bulletboys) and Sean Mcnabb on bass (Dokken, Burning Rain), so be sure to check them out. CrypticRock gives Rebel 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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