Mainstreet has released their debut self-titled album for the masses to enjoy hearing. Mainstreet is a six-member band from Sweden that has been playing live shows for the last few years. What you will hear from this band is straightforward; full-throttle no holds barred rock and roll in its purest form. The album at times sounds as if it was recorded live, but holds onto a controlled and produced feeling. The music is solidly played although the lead guitar and solos could have a little more volume so you could hear it more clearly. The six members create an interesting blend of sonic layering of instruments such as electric and acoustic guitar, mandolin, drums, bass, keys and the illustrious Hammond B-3 organ.
The lead vocals by Jonas Sandwall are passionate and driven throughout each song, but at times can be grating and leave the listener wondering what he is trying to do. It can be difficult to hear a Tiny Tim like falsetto voice used on occasion, kind of like a bitter cup of coffee it tastes good at first but leaves an aftertaste that is unpleasant. His voice is great at other times and organic sounding, not technical in any manner. However, I think you will find the more you listen to it, the more accustomed you become in hearing the oddities of it, often it seems he is trying too hard. He reminds me a little of John Popper in his style of singing, and little bit like lots of other musicians. When thrown into the entire package it all kind of works well, other than on the few ballads they recorded.
At times, the songs seem to blend into each other, but they throw in enough twists here and there that keep each song interesting. The album delivers one constant energy flow that keeps your foot tapping and blood bubbling with hard rock music. Every once in a while they pop out some country feeling to the music with the percussion and other instruments to break up the hard rock sound of the album. It produces a more light and pop like feel in some of the songs.
The first three songs hook you into the record before they throw in some ballads here and there. The first, "Blood in My Veins," jumps onto the scene with a provocative guitar riff thrown over a lovely B-3 Organ. Later on, the bass and drums really get hammering a great hard rock rhythm. The second song, "Flying Away," starts with a radio ready pop rock feel to it led again by the organ and guitar that has a catchy hook. In the middle, an interesting talk through or whisper through the lyrics adds an interesting change of pace that you will be singing along to. Then to keep you guessing there is a crossover to the third song as if they were playing live with no rest. One bridge on the song throws in a short peek at a mandolin playing, it is a like a refreshing mini-break demonstrating the band's country roots. The end of the song is sung anthem like and you can picture the lighters going up in the crowd as people sing along, "Be my lighthouse in the harbor."
The lyrics are always interesting and poetic, well written looks into loneliness and turning to God in the midst of it, redemption, and living a life for God as a response. One interesting song, 5:00AM, demonstrates the poetic nature of the music:
I am here in this lonely night
I can't win this fight / trying to keep my own hands warm
But coldness finds it's way on through
So I'm crying out to you
Chase me down
I've got allegiance with the Crown
Make me bleed
Yeah, the blood is what I need
Chase me down
I'm still fightin for the Crown
Even though I'm banned I'm crying out to you
5:00 AM
And I'm still here in this lonely night
But now I can see a pure, white light
It tries to keep these old hands warm and warmth it finds it way on through .....
This album from Mainstreet is an incredible debut album and I am looking forward to hearing more from this band. An enjoyable brand of rock that will keep you intrigued and listening to it over time as it is one of those albums you have to listen to a few times to understand all the layers going on and how it fits together to create an unexpected brand of Swedish import music.
4 tocks
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