Confidant Rock n' Roll -- is Mardo the Next "It" Band?
Feb 07 '05 (Updated Feb 08 '05)
Pros Some good, loud, old-fashioned rock music...
Cons Not original, not always interesting...
The Bottom Line They may not be entirely innovative, but they do rock.
Full Review
Californian rockers Mardo set out to make rock n’ roll music in the most classic sense of the world. The liner notes of their eponymous debut give props to influences including The Doors, T. Rex, Led Zeppelin, Cream, and Hank Williams and boldly state that “if you had any doubts about the future of rock ‘n’ roll, this record proves that there is no need to worry.”
While I wouldn’t go so far as to say that, I must admit that the brothers Mardo (Aron on bass guitar, keys, and vocals and Robbie on guitar and percussion) are on to a good thing. As far as I’m concerned there’s nothing better than a rock album with actual cohones. Mardo mixes together big 70’s arena rock and 80’s metal to create a rousing and enjoyable kind of music. It may not be classic and it may not be entirely original, but what this album lacks in innovation it makes up for in entertainment value.
After years of wishy-washy pop and pop that claims to be rock, there has been a recent resurgence in the rock movement. It’s oddly refreshing as led by bands like The Darkness, Jet, The Datsuns, and even The White Stripes. Mardo isn’t as kitschy as these acts which could either work to their benefit or downfall. I personally think fans of rock who have missed those years gone by will appreciate the band’s straightforward, loud approach. Mardo might just have a future ahead of them assuming they don’t bend to suit whatever the most current musical trend happens to be.
Mardo’s 2005 House of Restitution release lacks the tongue and cheek of The Darkness but keeps the hard-hitting electric guitars and snappy riffs and melodies. The duo seems poised for something greater—but what precisely is the question. The combination of the band’s distinctly “retro” look (they seem to have raided Zeppelin’s 1969 closet) and their arena sound is either entirely honest or a completely intentional, manufactured persona. Whatever the case may be, it would be delinquent of me not to take the songs at face value.
I’m particularly impressed by songs like Poor Paul and Big Mouth Shotgun. The former makes good use of a nonsensical chorus (whoa, whoa, yeah, yeah) and a great guitar riff. The latter just plain rocks—and rock is great. I love the fact that Mardo takes the long-lost art of heavy metal and injects the cool element back into it. Speaking of cool (err…sort of…), I Want a New Drug is an interesting remake of the Huey Lewis original. It’s one track I have yet to really figure out. On one hand the band completely reinvents the wheel—everybody knows and loves the song. On the other hand it is distorted and repetitive and could be one of the least entertaining tracks on the album.
Cold Creepin’ is another great rock track (it is one of the most kinetic songs on the full-length debut) and Son, album ender I’m the One, and Hey Girl change things up. They are ballads—and who would expect anything more out of a band that bases their sound so heavily in the seventies and eighties? Fortunately while these aren’t the most interesting songs they don’t hurt the album.
Last Call is precariously placed toward the end of the album. It’s a road song if I’ve ever heard one—fast, loud, and heavy on the drum kit it ranks as one of the best things from Mardo on this disc. I like it, and if you enjoy retro rock n’ roll you too should find some joy in the song. It’ll leave you chanting the chorus…Gotta get out, gotta get away from you…there ain’t no stoppin’ you now.
It remains to be seen how long this return to straightforward hard rock will last. If Mardo had their way it would last forever—I wouldn’t be one to argue with that sentiment. Like those revivalist bands I mentioned above? It could be well worth your effort to ingive these long-haired Californians a fighting chance.
Rating: 3.5/5 stars (rounded up—long live rock n’ roll!)
Track Listing:
01. Anyone But Me
02. Poor Paul
03. Big Mouth Shotgun
04. I Want a New Drug
05. Cold Creepin’
06. Son
07. Broken Bones
08. Catch a Thief
09. Told You So
10. Last Call
11. Hey Girl!
12. I’m the One
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