Monday 18 July 2016

Filthy Lucre - Mara (Album Review)


Release date: January 30th 2016. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD

Mara – Tracklisting

1.Dover Street 04:16
2.World Corp 03:40
3.Devil Man 03:49
4.Hand Made [Part 1] 02:53
5.Hand Made [Part 2] 04:46
6.Broke Bottle Blues 06:22
7.Mara 02:49
8.Boundless Plains 03:29
9.Moonshine 03:48
10.Take It Slow 04:36
11.Feelin' Down 05:23
12.Gotta Live 04:52
13.Sail 04:16
14.Just A Little 08:00

Band Members:

Luke Marsh - Vocal riffs, Guitar riffs, Cigar-Box Guitar riffs.
Ed Noble - Drum riffs, Vocal riffs.

Review:

Filthy Lucre's album has been on my to-do-list for a few months and it's now time that I review the album. So here goes with my review of their new album – Mara. I really like Mara a hell of a lot. It's packed full of superb blues rock based stoner/fuzz riffs. The only issue I have with the album is the length. It runs for over 60 mins and sometimes it can be quite repetitive at times. It may have been better if the band cut a few songs from the final mix. Though I admire the band's decision as you do get value for your money.

Imagine if QOTSA had a bad case of the dirty blues and this would be the dark twisted result. Mara has it's fair share of standout songs and most of these occur in the first 40 minutes of the album though the best track has to be the epic final song – Just A Little.

Vocals are handled superbly well by lead vocalist Luke with able support by Ed. For a two piece band these guys are surprisingly loud and confident as hell. The instrumental work is pretty much flawless from the start with Luke and Ed excelling from the start. These guys are damn good musicians and seriously know how to write a great riff. The lyrics are another surprising aspect for this album as the guys have written some hard-hitting lyrics that gives Mara a bleak blues based edge. Though it's all in the name of good old fashioned rock and roll.

The main thing surprised me about this album is the production and who produced the album. Filthy Lucre managed to convince Sylvia Massy to produce and record this. It sounds superb from start to finish. If you don't know who Sylvia Massy is then I suggest you do your homework. Sylvia has produced albums for TOOL amongst others. Sylvia has quite an extensive background working with some of the industry's biggest artists and has been critically acclaimed for her work over the years. So top marks for Filthy Lucre managing to convince Sylvia to produce and engineer the album. It sounds fantastic as a result.

Though this is Filthy Lucre's show and they have a few hidden surprises up their sleeve especially when they delve into the realm of Psych Rock and Prog Rock. If you're looking for an album to broaden your musical horizons then Mara is the album for you. Filthy Lucre have created a well crafted and exciting album. Check it out.

Words by Steve Howe

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