Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Mother Misery - All Eyes On You - Daredevil Records - 2006

Track Listing:1. I Got It Now 2. Cure and Remedy 3. Broke Down 4. Pray for Them Pigs 5. This Time 6. I Will Never Learn 7. Messed Up Kid 8. Gods Fall 9. My Soul 10. The Worst You've Seen 11. Wait Right Here

These Swedish rockers really caught my ear a couple years ago with the 2004 release 'grandiosity' and their subsequent EP 'For the Crows' was a well-received follow-up, so I had high hopes that the full Mother Misery release from Daredevil Records would expand on what was laid down already. 'All Eyes On You' doesn't disappoint, since the same working class, tough-guy, hard rock mentality is there as solid as a stone, but I do believe they could have driven themselves onto more roads and explored new territories with this release.

'All Eyes On You' is as comparatively good as the songs on the prior release with no loss in the song standards they set down before. Like a good AC\DC record, Mother Misery gives more than what we expect and more than what we deserve with gems of simple knowledge. 'My Soul' is fairly similar to the 'grandiosity' opener 'My Enemy', a caustic affirmation of independence--a metalhead familiar. Other tunes have a hooked sound, with plenty of crash and bash to keep the party up. "I Will Never Learn" has the great quality of being upbeat with downer lines and in fact, inspired me into making a new drinking game. The title track blazes as one of their fastest numbers and 'Pray for Them Pigs' rounds the CD out with a tough mood similar to the first. The only real thing not on the CD is the slower songs that show off their ability to incorporate simple dynamics and space to create mood like the older 'It Comes Again'.

I'm knocking a half-point of my review since the CD is a little too similar to 'grandiosity', but for fans of catchy, riff-based guitar rock similar to Monster Magnet, Mother Misery makes it look natural. Some tracks have been slightly changed from the EP, so collectors of the band's discography may want to pick it up as well.



Rating: 3.5



--Nailer