Mower
Not For You
5/5

San Diego group Mower brings us a really solid album, with enough variety to keep any metal fan interested, and a real nice break from the typical metal board of fare. Even if you’re not overly into the metal scene, it’s definitely worth picking up to check out for a little something different.

The album mixes genres well, to the point where it’s almost ambiguous in some areas. For a predominantly metal album, there are a lot of various shades of blues, jazz, and even a little classic rock. I’m a big blues fan, and whenever I hear a really well placed blues riff, I get excited. Even a really slow paced creeping track like “L.A. Riot” would seem at home in any place but a metal album, with it’s laid back and impressive vocals. Just listen to “U Turn” and you’ll hear a prime example of their genre melding abilities. Even on the heavier tracks, the vocals stay coherent, the music stays tight, and Mower really shows how many levels they can actually work on, and impress with their style.

The most surprising track on the album would have to be their cover of “California Dreamin’” by the Mamas and the Papas. I can see some people cringing at the thought, and it’s certainly not something you’d picture working well on a metal track, but damn does it ever. I’m always wary of classic covers but this high-energy version has some great background vocals, and an interesting interpretation of the song musically. Not sure if it works as an “angry” song, but man is it fun to listen too as a fan of the original track.

Track listing:

1. American Psycho
2. Road Rage
3. 10x10
4. The End
5. Look Away
6. Broken Hands
7. MPYP
8. General Admission
9. U Turn
10. Undone
11. Not For You
12. L.A. Riot
13. Zone
14. Seedless
15. California Dreamin’

-Ian Ball

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