Release Date: June 21, 2019
Label: Escape Music Ltd
The renaissance of 70’s power
keyboard legends, American Tears is in full force with their second release in
as many years, White Flags. Not
only are they influenced by keyboard-driven progressive rock of the
album-oriented 70’s such as Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Genesis, and Deep
Purple, they helped define the genre. Founder Mark Mangold’s boundless musical
energy and skill spawn critically acclaimed, yet commercially unsuccessful
releases Branded Bad and Tear Gas in the
mid-’70s. American Tears would morph
into Touch in the early ’80s yet remain clouded in anonymity. Mangold moved on to collaborate with artists
such as Michael Bolton, write hits for Cher and Benny Mardones, and release his
solo records.
The band’s current incarnation
unearths an ambiance from a time in rock history when keyboard solos reigned
supreme. Tom Scholz’s masterful Hammond organ solo on Boston’s Smokin comes
to mind. Mangold’s keyboard riffs are
rife with passion and energy. The moment you feel him about to wind down and
wrap up, he reinvents the song and takes it to another level. In this regard, American Tears defies
formulaic structure. To the delight of the listener, these songs keep going and
going. After all, if you’re enjoying the ride, why would you want it to end?
In a recent interview on The Final on Vinyl Podcast (or play below), Mangold quotes Pete Townsend when The Who was accused of sounding
self-indulgent and pretentious “Thank you very much,” said Pete, clearly proud
of being labeled as such. Mangold is justifiably proud, as well.
Listening to his vocals on White
Flags, one is reminded of the soul and range of The Cult’s Ian Astbury. Each song on White Flags is
consistently upbeat with a broad array of tempos and melodies. Two of the more soulful tracks which
accentuate his vocal range come in the form of “Give me More” and the album’s
closer “White Flags.”
To Mark Mangold, White Flags
is about surrender and sacrifice. Giving
up the battles and giving all of oneself is a sure path to freedom. The lyrics,
vocals, and driving power keyboards echo that refrain. Those who remember American Tears from the
’70s will enjoy this next chapter in their evolution while an emerging fan base
is sure to keep growing.
Tom Endyke - MuzikMan.net Staff
October
19, 2019
Key Tracks Include: “Hell or High Water,” “Fire Down Below,” “Turn
U On”, “Turn the Page”
REVIEWS PROVIDED BY:
Rate the
Tracks
Tracks:
01. Turn U On
02. Wake up City
03. Hell or High Water
04. Waltz of the Angels
05. Fire Down Below
06. Give Me More
07. Love is Love
08. Turn the Page (Blue Dog)
09. Pitch Black
10. Keep on Movin’
11. White Flags
Tracks:
01. Turn U On
02. Wake up City
03. Hell or High Water
04. Waltz of the Angels
05. Fire Down Below
06. Give Me More
07. Love is Love
08. Turn the Page (Blue Dog)
09. Pitch Black
10. Keep on Movin’
11. White Flags
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