Wild Ride

Album Review

This is an interesting album containing a variety of musical stylings and some excellent vocal tracks. The first track, "Dangerous Game," features a big band sound via a brass section and some fine keyboard work. Mark Carson's amazing crooning is notable as well. The uptempo work on the following track, "Reaching for the Sun," sounds eerily familiar, but no need to search the memory banks because this is an original song. The pop nature of the melody just makes the song sound amicable and charismatic — it has a lovely melody and the vocals are ace. "Make Me an Offer" may be one of the top reasons to pick up the album. If the search is for some great a cappella, this tune will definitely fill the void. The song is done in a doo wop style with Mark Carson doing the high parts. Toward the end of the song, the melody turns into a gospel-esque vocal jam session. The title track, "Wild Ride," has a country-pop sound. The musicians do an excellent job of complimenting Carson's vocals with very precise accentuation that gives the songs a full sound. The melody again has the familiarity that many will feel attracted to. "Can't Hold On" is just too close to the Billy Joel sound for Carson to deny an influence. The electric lead guitar solo by Greg Bosse is some of the hottest guitar work on the album and is well worth the attention. On "Jammed Tight," Carson turns up the funk and puts in a nice display of soulful vocals. The guitar work on this tune is done by Ed Vigueira and runs a tight race for first place with Greg Bosse's previous work on the album. On "Norman and His Mother," Carson turns a sharp corner into a world where Frank Zappa was a well-known resident. To call it strange would be putting it mildly, to say it's unique would be close, but many will call it pure genius. So if it's variety you yearn, the "Wild Ride" is waiting for you to climb aboard. This is one ride that will elevate the audio senses time after time and never lose its appeal.