CD review, Dec 08. Stuck Mojo - The Great Revival (Napalm Records)

Well, I don’t know what happened here. Stuck Mojo certainly have changed their sound since the last time I listened to them in the Snapping Necks/Rising era. Back then the band were slamming, mixing heavy pounding riffs with smooth raps and great tunes. Now there’s nothing wrong with a bit of melody but these tracks are by and large far too inflected by the Kid Rock or Everlast school of melodic country rock. The choruses are fine and well written, but they’re just too poppy and the verses too… easy. There seems to be a general theme of cautionary tales against the ’15 minutes of fame’ wannabe rockstar idea. Friends is probably the worst offender in the new style being about as schmaltzy as you can get, including the rather ill fitting melodic female vocals found elsewhere on the album. All rather bizarre for a band of such pedigree. It’s a shame cos there’s still heavy stuff mixed in like The Flood mashing a sweet sludge riff and vibe. The soon to be infamous John Denver country tune appropriation is a step too close to Kid Rock’s pop affectations, and I say that despite liking Denver’s stuff! I hope the heavy focus comes back next time.