Unaccustomed as I am to melody…I know that's a strange way to start a music review but it is a valid observation. Many bands seem to forget that having REALLY LOUD guitars doesn't make you memorable in a time when every other band is relying on REALLY LOUD guitars to be different. I sometimes wonder if perhaps it is too much effort for people to write actual songs but then you hear an EP by Matt Kollar and the Angry Mob and you know that out there - in California it would seem - there are people who believe in the old ways.
You get six tracks on the "She Changes Face" EP and none of them disappoint. That's right, none of them! Starting off with the title track, you get a fine example of the songwriter's art. Sure, you'll probably think this is what a Ben Folds and Randy Newman collaboration would sound like but it is that good. Following on and pumping up the pace for a - complete with mains hum - howling, travelling step back down the path to rock 'n' roll's golden age is "409 Blues".
"To The Night" again demonstrates an intelligent way with words as the melody dances delicately in your ears with all the finesse and style of Fred Astaire while "A Driftin' Blues" is a buoyant yet reflective organ led concoction of sound that makes drowning in the sea of life seem like fun. Oh yes, it's even got something that sounds suspiciously like a kazoo in it. There's courage for you as I'm sure the kazoo was made illegal in 1987.
There's got to be a slow one and "Carry The Light" illustrates that slowing the pace doesn't slow your enjoyment down at all. If a song can do such a thing, it makes a man feel really quite sentimental. Rounding things off is one of those melodic, complex big city songs that only seem to come from those resident in big American cities - "Gotta Get Blue" is more than a bit Donald Fagen but none the worse for that.
There you go - six songs and I can honestly say something nice about all of them. Along with the songs, you get a high standard of musicianship and you get imaginative arrangements. The seal of approval is duly granted.