THE MASTICATORS
Masticate! (To M'Lou Music)
Reviewed by Bill Holmes

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From the pop breeding ground that is Los Angeles, California comes The Masticators, and if there's a band poised to pick up the ball that The Tories apparently dropped, it's them. Fronted by the multi-talented Lisa Mychols, this razor-sharp quartet dips their toes into everything from Spector girl-group pop to ass-kicking rocka-funka-billy. The rhythm section of bassist Severo and drummer Robbie Rist are locked in as one throughout the record, graciously letting the guitars of Mychols and Pat McGrath set the tone. When they rock, The Masticators kick ass. "Radio Police" sounds like a hit to me, with its "Something Else" guitar riff and high energy vocals, and "Kidnapper Song" could fit on any Zombie-A-Go-Go CD without much fuss. But it's Mychols' versatile voice that sets this apart from the pack.

On the rocking songs she sounds like a cross between Debbie Harry, Chrissie Hynde and Dusty Springfield, and that's not a bad place to hover. "The One I Wanna Love" channels "Leader Of The Pack" through a Blondie filter, and the island flavored "He's The One" is the child of "The Tide Is High". Hew sweet vocal side gets ample play with "Help Me Down" and "Day To Day, and "Never Try" is as appealing as Tracey Ullman's cover of "They Don't Know", its sonic bookend. Mychols is a good lyricist, sometimes ("Never Try", "The Rain") a very good one. There isn't an abundance of flashy playing, but who needs it? McGrath's organ adds spice, Severo is a bass monster, and I picture Rist lifting off from his drum seat at will.

Ending the record with a rave-up cover of Devo's "Uncontrollable Urge" would normally be a good thing, but as much fun as that probably is in concert, here it only pales compared to the band's own material. Preceding it is the six minute highlight "The Rain", where The Masticators lay all their cards on the table and walk away with the pot. (www.sandplum.com/masticators/)

© 2000 - Bill Holmes