Eye In The Sky

Mama

Got Kinda Lost Records, 2018

http://mamamamamama.bandcamp.com

REVIEW BY: Tom Haugen

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 06/05/2020

Originally released on a six-song digital and cassette format in 2016, Chicago's Mama see their third EP, Eye In The Sky, get the reissue treatment on vinyl, and it's as enticing as the sharp cover art. A rowdy outfit spearheaded by Christopher DeArcangelis and with members of Poison Boys, The Rubs and EGO, Mama leaves a hell of an impression here in under 15 minutes with their energetic, borderline chaotic formula. my_heart_sings_the_harmony_web_ad_alt_250

“Lazer Lover” gets the EP started off right with the uproarious rhythm section of Joe Montanaro and Matt Dudzik leading the fiery power pop meets punk rock delivery where there is plenty of emphasis on power and riffage. “Some Weird Sin” follows with a slower pace that's a bit thicker. A tune with just as much grit as melody, it recalls everything we love about Cheap Trick with some muscle behind it.

The back half cooks, too, and includes the soaring guitar work of the anthemic “Girls Next Door,” where the punchy deliver reels us in instantly. “Eye In The Sky,” the best of the best here, finishes off the listen with a thumping energy that's reminiscent of Thin Lizzy, as the '80s hard rock nods blend perfectly with the glam rock on steroids approach that would have a younger Paul Westerberg frothing at the mouth.

If you've never heard of Mama, which I hadn't, and your interests surround metal, punk, or New Wave, which mine do, you're going to be quite embarrassed that a band this good isn't already in your collection. Imagine a modern day version of The Replacement's Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash but less juvenile and slightly more refined mixed with early records from the Raspberries, and you get some idea of how much this rules.

Rating: A

User Rating: Not Yet Rated


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