now/usa

While the title ‘power trio’ is often tossed about with some degree of recklessness, Michigan’s Most Wanted is a powerful trio of talented musicians delivering some entertaining indie rock. Revelation Station is their fifth full length album, an engaging 50 minutes of music with one foot firmly in the classic rock camp, the other in modern alt rock.

After several listens, I’m not sure what I like best here: the varied and interesting guitar work from Mark Hiser, or maybe his vocals, or possibly the strong rhythm section of Phil Weiss and Greg Kerkes. Song craftsmanship is definitely at a premium, though I can’t say every song threw sparks. As to their sound, I can hear anything from the Rolling Stones to Tom Petty to later Pearl Jam. Production is minimalist and clear.

Fundamentally, Most Wanted as a band and a band of songwriters is cohesive, creative, and genuinely entertaining. They definitely can rock with Wallets, For the King, Headaches as good examples. Most Wanted can be gritty and slow burning on songs like Sleepless and the sweltering I Walk Alone. Possibly their best moment comes when that classic rock meets the alt rock groove, infectious and accessible, as on Just Like a Girlfriend, the best track here. Conversely, while you get 12 tracks at 50 minutes, some songs could have been dropped, like Wreckage, Playin’, or Modern Day Bonnie & Clyde, for a more compact set list. Bottom line: for fundamental and fresh American indie melodic hard rock put Most Wanted on your list. Recommended.

1. Get to You 3:18
2. Playin’ 3:32
3. Just Like a Girlfriend 4:24
4. Wallets 4:07
5. Bad Year 4:04
6. I Walk Alone 4:13
7. For the King 3:17
8. Sons of the Son 3:53
9. Sleepless 3:43
10. Ghosts Incognito 4:26
11. Headaches 3:03
12. Modern Day Bonnie & Clyde 3:42
13. Wreckage

depos turbob