With their last CD "Hot Damn"
Mojo Gurus gained lots of airplay on independent radio. The band caused some attention that earned them a deal with
Empire Musicwerks/Universal. Furthermore the band got famous producer Jack Douglas to produce this CD
Mojo Gurus was formed hot on the heels of
Roxx Gang with charismatic lead singer Kevin Steel being the band's turning point.
Mojo Gurus is a big melting pot of Rockabilly, American Roots rock combined with Rock 'n' Roll.
The new CD consist re-recordings of older
Mojo Gurus material and a handful of new songs. Pretty disappointing that 5 songs are repetition from 2003's "Hot Damn"
Jack Douglas has provided the "Hot Damn" songs with a warmer feel. The best songs from "Hot Damn"
Black Cat Blues and
You'd have to tie me up to tie me down are both included on "Shakin' in the Barn"
For some reason "Hot Damn" album fillers
Linda Marie and
Two Too Much are also to be found on this CD.
As if 5 re-recordings weren't enough - there is a track of the self-titled album;
Baddest Mother Song (Totally hillbilly) and also a song from "Drinkin'
TNT and smoking Dynamite", which definitely is the highlight of this album.
Who's been drivin' my Cadillac delivers cool
slide, raunchy rhythm and most important melodic appeal, which seems to be lacking in
Mojo Gurus' newer material
The best of the new songs is
Wild, Wild Women where
Kevin Steele takes the job as Elvis sound-alike.
However, the rest of the tracks are a disappointing.
White Line Fever has a weak chorus, the title track lacks melody and the humorous
Fools' Hall of Fame is another hillbilly track in the same vein as
Baddest Mother Song.
I talked to former
Roxx Gang guitarist Stacey Blades after an
L.A. Guns show and basically he left because of the direction and translation from
Roxx Gang to
Mojo Gurus. Well. I have to go with Mr. Blades this time.
The album is consistent since
Mojo Gurus take the full step in playing roots rock and they do it well - but a whole album is overkill for yours truly. However, I would probably include some songs on home made compilations for the car or once in a while blast out
Who's Been Drivin' My Caddilac? and
Black Cat Blues
"Shakin' in the Barn" doesn't add anything to the
Mojo Gurus catalogue since most are re-recordings with a better production. The new songs sounds like songs
Mojo Gurus left behind earlier and it's pointless to buy this record if you have "Hot Damn" because the new songs lacks the same quality that was found on "Hot Damn"
Written by
Michael Friday, September 30, 2005
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