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MITCH MALLOY officially debuted as solo artist with his stunning self-titled album on a major label in 1992. But there was another story before, far from an overnight success.
Mitch actually put together a band in 1986, and they had all worked hard at trying to snare that elusive record deal, without luck.
These original recordings entitled "Malloy 88" surfaced some years ago thanks to an European label, but now Mitch is re-releasing the album on his own label, plus a new song.
Mitch talks about these old days: "We had a band with friends of all life. We were very close, like brothers in a way, and to this day I still miss them a great record deal – some of the best people I’ve ever known. Talented too, and the women loved us!
We used to practice in bassist Tim Wheeler’s basement. Tim and I have been buds since we were 5 years old and started playing music together at the age of 12 – he’s still my best friend."
However, despite hooking major interest, it seemed all label eyes were really only on the exceptionally good-looking and talented frontman, owner of a
powerful yet melodic voice and penchant for writing ridiculously catchy melodic rock anthems.
Mitch explains: "RCA wanted a different sound, and for me to just be ‘Mitch Malloy’ for marketing reasons. The producer the label hired wanted different guys to play on the record, and over the last few months the label had been putting me with outside writers and that was splitting up the band vibe as well.
I’m sorry I did it on one hand, as it was a fun band and I loved the guys like brothers, but then on the other hand, the Mitch Malloy record that people seem to love so much would never have happened if I hadn’t let them break up the band.
It’s bitter sweet, isn’t it?"
Although the original "Malloy" tapes got lost along the way, there were still the original mixes left and I must say that the result on this album is fabulous. This is truly 1988!
A couple of tracks, such as the fantastic layered AOR track "Forever" plenty of classic harmony vocals overload and the smashing hot-on-the-wheels rocker "Problem Child" were also part of his debut solo album in a slightly or completely different version.
"Malloy 88" is more visceral than Mitch's first solo CD, with a sound that is the definition of pure Melodic Rock from the second half of the eighties.
Just check the killer hook laden melodic hard rock opener "On My Way", the melodies on "Rodeo Girl" and "She's Young, She's Wild" or the awesome ballad "Still In Love".
The vocal/acoustic guitar intro in "Angeline" builds the song into almost epic proportions, while this original take of "Problem Child" signs the album off in a flurry of guitars, a nice touch of Van Halen-styled rock.
New track 2013 "What A Day" is more in the present Mitch vibe with a strong melodic foundation and a sweet chorus including some strings.
"Malloy 88" is obviously a recording very much of the time delivering twelve very catchy melodic (hard) rock tunes full of magic.
Despite the album wasn't released as the label rejected Malloy 'as a band', these are not demos. Production is very good with a crisp sound and mix.
Actually I prefer this to the debut (which is great by the way) because "Malloy 88" is crafted from the heart and bleeds Melodic Rock.
Perfect Melodic Rock I'd say.
01 - On My Way
02 - Rodeo Girl
03 - She's Young, She's Wild
04 - If You Were Mine
05 - Still In Love
06 - Forever
07 - Feel Like Falling In Love
08 - Angeline
09 - Ready For Love
10 - Money Can't Buy Love
11 - Without You
12 - Problem Child
13 - What A Day (new track 2013)
Mitch Malloy: Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion
Mike McConnville: Guitars, Backing Vocals
Tim Wheeler: Bass, Backing Vocals
Phil Richford: Drums
Tistan, Michael Himmel: add. Guitar
Tony Reyes: add. Bass, Guitar
Robert Gorden: add. Drums
BUY IT !
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/mitch-malloy/id4372018
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Malloy-88/dp/B009RI5I3K
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