Review by Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
3 stars out of 4
In 2002 Mountain released Mystic Fire, a new album that reunited
Leslie West and Corky Laing. It becomes evident rather quickly that
their musical alliance has experienced a strong rejuvenation on this
album. Although it is somewhat different from anything that you have
heard before, you will recognize the raunchy hard-nosed vocals and
crunching blues-rock guitar of Leslie West and the pounding rhythms
of Laing. I think most Mountain fans will be pleased with this effort.
I also highly recommend the DVD Sea of Fire that highlights
some of the new tracks in a live setting.
The album jumps right off the starting line on fire with West growling
I am Immortal, bringing that old Mountain magic back again with a
roar. The Sea is the bands elegy to the September 11th tragedy while
Mutant X is for a world gone mad and one that does not seem too far
away when you consider the current situation and all the advances
in biotechnology. Johnny Comes Marching Home is another track devoted
to the good old U.S.A.; it reminded me of the famous performance by
Hendrix at Woodstock of the Star Spangled Banner. It was not in musical
way that brought the thought of Hendrix back to me, it was and the
style and subject matter. Better off with Blues is an excellent blues-rock
number with lyrics to match. The song salutes the bands love for the
blues effectively. The closer is a remake of Nantucket Sleighride,
which was a song West absolutely loathed because it was so difficult
to play at first, but it became one of his favorites. It is not the
same without Felix Pappalardi on lead vocals, but West does a nice
job with it just the same. The music is another matter, the guitar
playing is phenomenal and the song has a newfound meaning and life
that it seems to have been waiting for all along. Throughout the song,
I could hear Felix singing. This kind of remake will spark a lot of
emotion for listeners so get ready; it is chills-up-the-spine time.
This album continues to grow on me with each listen. Even though it
is not anything like the old Mountain it still rocks hard and stands
as another solid album for this legendary band.
1. Immortal - 3:59
2. Mystic Fire - 4:44
3. Fever - 3:22
4. The Sea - 5:19
5. Mutant X - 5:17
6. Better Off With the Blues - 4:15
7. Mountain Express (Oh Boy) - 2:56
8. Marble Peach/Rotten Peach - 5:01
9. Johnny Comes Marching Home - 2:50
10. Nantucket Sleighride (Redux) - 7:29
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