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SOS: Adios Bandito
Listen to SOS at www.sosnyc.com
Distributed By:3:16 Productions
Genre: Rock
By: Jon Minners
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Listen to SOS at www.sosnyc.com
Distributed By:3:16 Productions
Genre: Rock
My only exposure to SOS has been through 3:16 Production's compilation series Redefine the Rockstar. I certainly liked what I heard, but only now after hearing SOS latest CD, Adios Bandito, can I really appreciate why my partner loved SOS' first CD SOS, The Mob, and the Limo Love Scam.
New Yorkers, Adam Mastrocimone (lead singer), Keith O'Brian (drummer), Kevin Matulich (guitar) and Mike Mangan (guitar), make up SOS, which stand for excellent rock-n-roll. Adios Bandito kicks ass from beginning to end. SOS' sound is rather unique covering varying degrees of rock, from alternative to monster ballad to hard banging.
Right from the get-go, Ole Matador, it is apparent this band has awesome guitarists who play with a lot of energy, musical intelligence and discipline. Think They Got Me shows the guitarists' depth with an old school sound, but they can also play hard seen in the majority of songs on the CD. Their guitars are full of energy, coming alive and pumping the listener up as they wait for the words.
The drummer quickly pops in on Adios Bandito and was not to be outdone, showed that the guitars are only part of the equation when it comes to art of SOS. The instrumentals on Movers and Shakers and Pulse are just fantastic heart palpitating, adrenaline rush, workout songs. Who needs words all the time?
Then Adam steps in and lets us know exactly how important lyrics are, taking equal command of the music and solidifying SOS as America's Next Rock Idols. Adam's voice is melodic and he can make anything sound good. Whether he is screaming like in What I Need, or hitting the listner with a smooth introspective song like, Drive (my favorite track on the CD-very deep, poetic), the listener is definitely in for a treat. Adam's delivery made this song successful.
Drive she said/Just drive/I'm all alone/lonely and I've got nothing/But I'm something/but you're not mine/No you're not mine/Never she said/I've never/been to the beach/this late in November/so let's go there/We'll just stare/out into the light/until the morning light.
Every song on Adios Bandito rules, except the last one. What I Need was just too hard. Too much yelling, and hearing the such a great album, this song just didn't fit into the mix. However, I admit it does serve as a purpose, hitting the listener hard, catching him or her off guard to make them pay attention, actually having you thinking back to the rest of the CD like I did. Maybe they want you to think how different this song is compared to others so you don't forget them or SOS. Then again, how could you if you tried?
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