Written by Ingrid Newton TRACK LISTING People (We're The Chosen Ones) Crocodile's Heart Burning Wire LeatherJacks Emotions On Sale The Slammer Do You Fucking Pay My Bills? MotoCross The Lost Arks Of Rock and Roll LEATHERJACKS IS: Mauro Cordeiro - Vocals, guitars, bass, drums Release Date: April 18, 2017 Label: Independent Website: www.leatherjacksofficial.com |
Brazil's LeatherJacks first album titled The Lost Arks Of Rock and Roll was recorded, arranged, mixed and produced by Mauro Cordeiro (who played every instrument, including the vocals) with mastering help from Emastered; a solo project Mauro undertook when he realized the hurdle of finding fellow band mates to share his musical vision. Now in 2018, there are two more LeatherJacks band members; Marcos Brandao on bass and backing vocals and Rapha Gusto on guitar and backing vocals. Mauro hopes to fill the drum vacancy soon which will give the band touring opportunities and further track writing and recording.
Each and every track on The Lost Arks of Rock and Roll carves its own niche in the broad spectrum of heavy rock music. Buzzing guitars, throbbing bass lines, crisp rhythmic drumming, and the very discernible and clean vocal styles of Mauro takes me back to the 80's era of hair and glam metal, but without the hair sprayed coifs and spandex. This album is chock full of all the 80's sounds we have come to know and enjoyed back then. Many bands try to include the same sound, but miss the mark most times. Not this project. Without a doubt, I dare to say that Mauro has taken the glam metal genre and made it his own. A solo project of this magnitude that delivers clean vocals, heavy guitar riffs, and headbanging bass lines deserves to be heard globally. I am having a difficult time choosing my favourite tunes from the album.
What I think of:
Track 1 ・People (We're The Chosen Ones)
Jazzy influenced rock that carries buzzing and sexy guitars.
Track 2 ・Crocodile's Heart
Heavy 80's influenced tune. Traces of Motley Crue, Skid Row, Ugly, Poison, etc. can all be heard.
Track 3 ・Burning Wire
This track sucks you in from the beginning note. With its catchy guitar riffs and beat, I could easily set on replay.
Track 4 ・LeatherJacks
Chunky guitar opening leads the song to a rock and roll anthem instrumentally and lyrically.
Track 5 ・Emotions On Sale
The A-typical 80's ballad, but sounds fuller instrumentally, complete with double tracking vocals.
Track 6 ・The Slammer
The hooks hooked me and sent me cruising down the rock and roll speedway. Keyboards totally work in this song to give the outerspace vibe.
Track 7 ・Do You Fucking Pay My Bills?
An everyday life event that sounds like a Dio tale of fighting for every ounce of oneself. Oh, and those fucking bills!
Track 8 ・MotoCross (Instrumental)
Sans vocals, the pace of this tune takes one around the race track, and never stops revving until the proverbial checkered flag marks the end.
Track 9 ・The Lost Arks Of Rock and Roll
The final track will get you where you need to be. It melds all the expected nuances of the 80's rock and metal scene in this four and a half minute ride.
Even though the overall sound of the album is not new, it's the songwriting and deliverance of these 80's infused tunes that bring back that smell of hairspray with hints of tightly worn nylon spandex and finished off with brand new high top Converse sneakers. Let's ROCK!
Final Rating: 8.5/10