When Lynch Mob first formed out of the ashes of Dokken nearly 35 years ago, its purpose was to serve as a creative vehicle for founding guitarist and namesake, George Lynch. This still remains the case today (when Lynch isn’t playing in any number of Frontiers backed projects), although in the decades since, Lynch Mob has devolved, going from a proper band to more or less “George Lynch and Friends”. Their debut album, Wicked Sensation (1990), is a stone cold hard rockin’ classic. So is its unsung self titled sophomore follow up (1992).
Subsequent releases have ranged from quite enjoyable (2009’s Smoke and Mirrors) to downright unlistenable (1999’s Smoke This), which brings us to the band’s eighth (excluding a senseless re-recording of Wicked Sensation) and final studio album, Babylon. Joining Lynch for this last hurrah is on again, off again drummer and former BulletBoy Jimmy D’Anda, as well as newcomers Jaron Gulino on bass and Gabriel Colon on vocals. Funny enough, I saw Colon live with cult US metallers Culprit at a fest about 5 years ago. While he got the job done, I couldn’t help but think, “This guy would be a better fit in a glam metal band.”, and here we are.
For the most part, Babylon is an inoffensive, straightforward hard rock album. The songs aren’t necessarily of the caliber of Lynch Mob’s first two outings, but the highs are quite enjoyable. Cuts like “Erase” and “Caught Up” boast that old school, swaggering Lynch Mob sound, as if they were tailormade to be cranked up with the car roof down. “Time After Time” and “I’m Ready” border on the glam side of the spectrum with their hooky arrangements and hedonistic attitude, while “How You Fail” and “Fire Master” see Lynch go into “Mr. Scary” mode, unleashing his metallic wrath for old times sake.
The rest of Babylon lingers without much sense of direction or purpose. “Million Miles Away” checks off the contractually obligated Frontiers power ballad box, sounding absolutely faceless and stale in the long run. “Let It Go” and “The Synner” are half-hearted attempts at white-boy funk rock. They’re entertaining for a listen or two, only for you to realize, “I could be listening to Mk. III Purple.” And then there’s the 8 minute closing title track. Clearly an attempt at a Zeppelin inspired epic, it’s not shabby, but Lynch’s guitarwork outshines the song itself, which truthfully happens a lot on this album. After all, this is Lynch Mob.
In the scope of Lynch Mob’s catalog, Babylon is far from the worst thing they’ve ever created, but it’s no Wicked Sensation either. George and the boys have put together a fun album that’s bound to satisfy the diehards if nobody else. The strongest cuts on this album will likely find their way into Lynch Mob’s live sets, serving as a breathe of fresh air before playing “Wicked Sensation” and “River of Love” for the two zillionth time. Anyways, Lynch Mob Babylon and on, at least until March of 2025…oh wait, that was Faster Pussycat. Forgive me Eddie Trunk!
6 out of 10
Label: Frontiers Records
Genre: Hard Rock
For fans of: Dokken, Aerosmith, Whitesnake
Too much reading, 0 music. Borrrring
It’s an album review. It’s made up of words. If you want to hear music, check out the album and come to your own conclusion.