Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Lynch Mob Smoke and Mirrors Company: Frontiers Records Release: 2009 Genre: Hard Rock Reviewer: Chris Kincaid

Doesn't quite stack up to their previous work

You'd think the news of Oni Logan and George Lynch reuniting after 17 years to make a new LYNCH MOB album would be off the charts.

But their 2nd pairing as a team on their long awaited follow up called "Smoke and Mirrors" never quite gets off the ground. Failing to showcase Lynch's flurry of fret activity and Logan's pipes.

The songs come off sounding well produced with each instrument clearly distinguishable making up a nice tapestry of Hard Rock. But both Lynch's tone and Logan's vocals seem subdued and uninspired.

There are a few key tracks worth mentioning namely the opening rocker '21st Century Man'. The all so cool blues driven sparkle of the title track 'Smoke and Mirrors'. In my opinion the best song in the mix 'My Kind of Healer' which feels as close to 1990's "Wicked Sensation" as one will get here. 'Time Keepers' which is a little more intense that most of the tracks with it's Pantera like riff driven line. 'Revolution Heroes' a song that drips of swagger. 'The Phacist' which out of all the songs mentioned has the most memorable hook and chorus. And even though I'm not big on ballads I have to give props to the closer 'Before I Close My Eyes'. It's not too sweet nor sappy rather it strikes up a nice balance with an...albeit shortened...Lynch solo to top it off.

Other tracks like 'Let The Music Be Your Master' which feels like one...really long...jam session. 'Where Do You Sleep At Night' or 'Madly Backwards' a track thats one redeeming quality is the solo Lynch hammers out here feel more like filler material. Tracks that miss the mark with Oni coming off sounding restrained.

The good news is that it's not 1999's "Smoke This" but it doesn't quite stack up to their previous work either falling somewhere in the middle.