Search - Mountain :: Mystic Fire

Disappointing

Music Expert | East Coast, USA | 11/04/2003

(2 out of 5 stars)

"If I were an extremely well funded philanthropist, the first thing I would do is start a foundation. This foundation would have a large endowment with funds available for musicians that were once very famous, but have fallen out of favor for one reason or another - usually not for any other reason than the passage of time. And they have already paid their dues. A condition of accepting this large sum of money would be that they could NOT re-form or tour. Not to say that we would be better off with all the bands that were around in the 1970s not having any reunions, but I am quite sure that the majority of them would be much more comfortable (not to mention the potential for worsening their already failing health) without having to rehearse, record, and/or go on the road. Without question the surviving members of Mountain would be approved for a large grant from my foundation. There is no way on earth that one can compare this album to any of the old Mountain albums. I understand those who are big fans of Leslie and Corky giving them lots of leeway. And some may be so hungry for more Mountain they are willing to hear these two decrepit old men rock out. Some may even, if they squint their ears, be able to make out some of the characteristics that made Mountain such a great band. But on this album there is very, very little of their old selves that is evident. Maybe if they "reinvented" themselves, that is, they chose a different musical direction to explore they might find their niche. But they try to be "heavy", and they do not succeed one iota.I feel bad. I didn't want to write this bad review because I love their old music so much. But I wish someone had warned me before I spent good money on this CD. Don't be mistaken, though -- they are still one of my favorite bands of all time. I listen to "Climbing", "Nantucket Sleighride", "Flowers of Evil" and "The Road..." as often as I do any other albums in my collection. And I was hoping that this album would be at least passable. Nope."

Mixed Feelings

HARBINGER | Kentucky, USA | 08/23/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Interesting CD. Sometimes, Mountain sounds like a combination of Rob Zombie and ZZ Top and sometimes there's almost a hint of Jim Morrison and the Doors (on Mystic Fire for instance). This is one CD I really can't totally recommend, but can't really say it's all bad either. "Mystic Fire", "The Sea", and especially "Better Off With The Blues" are pretty good tunes.
"Fever", the old cover done by who knows how many "lounge singers" and jazzed up here just doesn't seem to belong. I would have preferred another original track from the band. I like the three songs previously mentioned, but otherwise, I'd probably leave this one alone."

Leslie West.....

"The Woj" | Downers Grove, IL | 08/25/2002

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Leslie West is said to be Jeff Beck's favoite guitarist. That was over 30 years ago...now Leslie is just a shadow of his former self in more ways than one. There are really no memorable guitar solos on this entire album; plus his classic Les Paul Junior "tube" tone & vibrato are no where to be found. No really good songs or even guitar riffs either. I could not even listen to it all the way thru. If you want flat out...to the wall rock, pick up the new Blue Oyster Cult, Status Quo, or Ted Nugent cds; wait for this one to hit the cut-out bin."