• Band / Artist : Mother
• Genre : Pop / Rock
• Sample Track Download : Love and Truth
• Buy CD : Buy
• Buy Digital Download : N/A
• Rating : 7 out of 10

One of Monty Python’s famous phrases was “And now for something completely different”, I think they’d just heard the Mother album when they thought of it. OK, pardon the pun, but when I first heard this album, I was a bit flummoxed as to what to think and believe you me, I don’t use the word flummoxed very often in casual conversation, is that even the right spelling?

Let me get the conventional things nailed down. The vocals are extremely magnetic and command attention. The female vocals especially exude a breathless sexiness, when depoloyed to that effect, which is certainly the case on track 2 “Love and Truth” and also through a few other tracks on the album. Musically, this is all very creative and well executed, but there is a lingering doubt at the back of my mind. Whilst there is no doubt that everyone within Mother has incredible talent, I wonder what was the driving force behind this album, as I don’t know whether this is meant to be a tongue in cheek album, as nothing on this album is what it appears.

I have to confess to laughing when I first heard the album, skipping though the tracks to get a feel for the album and then setting it aside as it struck me as something even Frank Zappa would have found weird. My setting aside usually results in the album entering the bitbucket in the sky, or redeeming itself. So which side of the fence is it?

Two weeks after first skipping though the album, I decided to play it again and for some reason I heard the album in a totally different light. Whether it was my mood when first playing the album or something else, I don’t know, but upon actually listening to the album, I have to say I love it. It’s quirky upbeatness and interesting lyrics, combined with the rest of the musical package, gives the cobwebs in my brain a gently rearrange. Then the word came to me, eccentric. That’s what it is, eccentricity to the nth degree.

There’s many different standout tracks on this album, but they stand out for different reasons. My favorite tracks would have to be “Love and Truth”, “Oh Ana” and “Polynesia”. I’d love to hear what Mother could do with a more conventional album, but then again that would probably be, err just another album, so maybe not.

Conclusion : I don’t think words can quite convey what I think about this album, as I’m still not quite sure myself. One thing for sure, this is an album of pure invention and deserves to be heard at least once, even if this is not your usual fare. I’m well passed the single play of this album and will no doubt play it quite a few times more.

I love the quote on the Mother site, from CBC radio, who said “Mother’s pure ear candy”, I couldn’t have said it better myself.