True gritty Rock & Roll music has been on the decline, it is not hard to see, or even hear, when listening to modern radio. The deal is that usually the "Big Dudes" sign a band, they release a hit CD, so EVERYONE and their dogs are sent to sniff out a new band that has the same formula. Is it just me, or is that at times a bit mundane ? I long for the days when Rock music was something you turned up load, and you got screamed at to turn it down. My search has ended for the time being, and here is why.....

Matt Mays and El Torpedo literally burst onto the scene with their major label self titled release. Well, OK, they are with Sonic Entertainment Group's label, and Warner Music Canada. I just sat back and said, "Leave it to Canada, Eh!" when I was listening to Matt Mays & El Torpedo. See, the thing here is very simple, Matt Mays has decided to bring back the gritty-guitar-based Rock that is much needed. Some of his musical forefathers from the frozen north should be proud. Matt Mays and El Torpedo has taken elements of artists like Neil Young and Randy Bachman and blended them with his skilled axe grinding style, and added some vocals in their too!

Matt Mays & El Torpedo is one of those discs that you just have to try. Well, at least if you are looking for some honest to Trudeau Roots Rock. The lead-off single getting spins at Much Music and Rock Radio is "Cocaine Cowgirl", this is what Rock music used to be, and should be again kids, this is straight forward roots-rock that have earned Matt Mays comparisons to Neil Young, the sound however would make Tom Petty or 70s era Springsteen fans just as fulfilled. The energy that blazes through each track make Matt Mays and El Torpedo a band to watch.

When you first hear Matt Mays on the radio, the sound comes through in a big way, I mean, in all honesty there isn't another band that currently has as much true feeling as Matt Mays & El Torpedo. There are so many awesome tracks on this CD it is truly hard to find a single favorite or two. There are some tracks that you should pay attention to, that is besides the current single "Cocaine Cowgirl". "Ain't So Heavy", "Stand Down at Sundown", "On The Hood" and "The Plan" are all equally as good as "Cocaine Cowgirl". There isn't a spot on this CD however that would make you want to press that skip button, and how often can you say that with most of today's so-called "Hit Music?"

Matt Mays & El Torpedo continue the trail that Mays had begun to blaze with his CD "Matt Mays" and taken it a few more steps ahead, with more maturity in the songwriting and superb musicianship. Matt Mays' lyrics run the gambit from Retrospective to insightful, and at times a bit sarcastic. The thing is here, the entire band are obviously very serious about their music, which does not equal arrogance. The sound is not over-produced, it is simple and edgy enough to be familiar, yet complex enough to be innovative. If you are a true fan of real, scratch that, honest rock and roll you should ALREADY have this CD in your collection, if not, what the hell are you waiting for? Be sure to catch Matt Mays and El Torpedo on tour with Blue Rodeo through July, a few solo dates are happenin' too!   

  ( 6 Stars out of 6 )

Play MP3 sample of "Cocaine Cowgirl" - Matt Mays & El Torpedo

Play MP3 sample of "On The Hood" - Matt Mays & El Torpedo