Mellowdrone - Maquina 7" Review

After freelancing for Pumpkin Festivals and articles about cover bands in L.A for much too long, I'm following some kind-hearted suggestions and starting a new blog. Blarg! Magazine is no more, but I'm starting this to calm my nerves, and take my mind off of the cover bands...



HBV 01
Mellowdrone - Maquina 7" (2008, Coming Home)



Mellowdrone is without question one of LA's most profilic bands, but their 2006 3e/Sony release of Box left me a bit dissapointed. Box is a strong, potentially great album, well-written and performed, but the passionate vocals and the flowing, rise-and-fall orchestration of 2005's Go Get 'Em Tiger were somewhat lost to digitalization on Box. It was still quite impressive, with amazing moments. The problem didn't seem to be singer/songwriter Jonathan Bates or his band, but the production of the album, a bit too glossy and over-produced for such a great live band.
Fortunately, the Maquina 7" is more of a throwback to the Jonathan Bates and Mellowdrone of old. The first track Maquina purrs odes to psychedelia of the old, with chiming guitars and Bates' signature dark crooning. Machine, the Spanish version is hauntingly effective as well. There seems to be an ever-shifting balance for rock & roll bands using electronics, sometimes it's just too much. Luckily, Maquina doesn't figure to be more than it is, and succeeds at just that. -HF

Contact: herbavoreblog@gmail.com