FAT.MO.MAC - Fat.Mo.Mac
May 12, 2015, 8 years ago
(Red Tomb)
Rather strangely named solo effort from Candlemass guitarist Lars Johansson. Actually the title was inspired by Fatmomakke, one of the largest alps in Sweden, near the Arctic Circle. The left-hander is aided by several friends, including ubiquitous Swedish singer Mats Leven and bassist Torbjörn (Tobbe) Moen, who was in Oz, back in 1980. Nine tracks, examples of fuzzy toned, bluesy classic rock: at its best, a little less countrified, but trying to channel his inner Stevie Ray Vaughn, with a hint of meandering Led Zeppelin, courtesy of a wailing/whining Leven.
Slide guitar opens "So Bad It Feels", while the first instrumental, "Kickback", lets Johansson flow. No real ballads, although "Memories Is All There Is" maintains a walking pace, compared to its mid-tempo surroundings, while the "Get Home" finale is even slower. Next-to-last, a second instrumental ("Gearshifter") plods to an infectious stomp, punctuated by some fleet fingered soloing. Alongside Icelandic youngsters The Vintage Caravan, a blast from the past, for those lamenting the current state of music, as well as those looking to discover history.
