Gumbo Blues at its Finest

Mofro
Lochloosa
© 2004 Fog City Records

I was so happy when I actually learned more about Mofro, all by default once I got this album. I remember thinking, “I don’t know. It just sounds a little too simplistic for me. It sounds a little light…” It’s because it is light. Mofro is JJ Grey and Daryl Hance; it’s only two guys. They have a slew of guests rounding out the album which pull out some nice bass/drum backbeats to keep the swampadelic rock flowing. Swampadelic rock, gumbo rock, alligator-wrastlin’ rock–whatever you would call some soulful white-boys from Florida–I have no problem whatsoever calling it great rock as well. JJ Grey, the writer and arranger on every track on the record, has a sound that will keep flowing into our ears again, and you’ve got to listen to it a couple times to really feel it.

Long and short of it: I really grew to enjoy this album the more I listened to it, and I think a short play-by-play would be order…

1. Y’all Ready – Intro track. Really, these are usually hugely unnecessary. These don’t make albums flow better. These, in fact, are completely pointless. Let’s move on.

2. That Boy – Standard, Cajun-infused roots rock to kick the album off. This sets the tone.

3. Lochloosa – Hearty, bowl of slow groove with a side of cornbread and black eyed peas.

4. Dirtfloorcracker – This is sort of a “Don’t call me Whitey” anthem, yet saying the complete opposite. “Call me Whitey, I don’t care…”

5. Fireflies – Again, soul down to the bone.

6. Ten Thousand Islands – Hendrix-like eeriness over some haunting slow drum clicks. Well done, my friend.

7. Six Ways From Sunday – The album picks up a little bit here, yet still keeping it slightly more slow than I usually enjoy…

8. The Wrong Side – Another porch swing toe-tapper…

9. Everybody’s – Slow, heart-ripping soul. Not bad. I’m sure it’s more powerful live. Maybe it isn’t. I don’t know, I should probably go see them soon…

10. Gal Youngin – …

11. How Junior Got His Head Put Out – Blues, done choppy.

12. The Long Way Home – Acoustic, slide number asking for forgiveness for all the depressing, gumbo blues that you’ve just been subjected to (in the good way).

Really, I’m late to review this album. I do my best…

For all those that got the early promotional copy for review quite a long time ago, I applaud your efforts.

Prior Lochloosa reviews: Glide Magazine, JamBase