When writing reviews, it usually feels like the end of a conversation. An artist has created a piece of art, then I review it.
By Graeme Smith
DownTown Mystic’s new EP Mystic Highway Road Trip works a little different. Its creation was inspired by the reviews.
“There are so many talented reviewers out there who write with such cool insights that it blows my mind,” says Robert Allen, the driving force behind the band. “I kept seeing reviews saying that [previous EP] Mystic Highway was a great soundtrack for a road trip, which I never thought about. It got me thinking, why not a summer road trip release?”
Listening to Mystic Highway Road Trip not only feels like a road trip but a journey through rock’s history. The songs on it hail back to the golden ages of rock and roll from the Buddy Holly era through to the flamboyant ‘70s and the hard rock of the ‘80s.
Superstar – To Sir Elton With Love Mix celebrates the sound of its titular figure, nailing the energy while not descending into a cover performance. One of the most notable things about this EP is that it’s not just paying tribute to some of the greats, it includes musicians who worked with the greats. Steve Holley takes on drumming duty who has worked with, among others, Elton John.
The bluesy licks and driving groove of Live are reminiscent of Tina Turner, as is its anthemic chorus that’s full of life. Buddy Holly’s unmistakable sound gets a run out in Fly – Buddy Holly Mix.
We get plenty of Robert Allen too and his distinct point of view that was introduced to us through previous release On The E Street Remix. I, among others, reviewed the record and Allen seems inspired by that feedback too.
“Even though the remixes were of older material, the reviewers pointed out that I’m making rock music for today,” he says. “Thanks to them, it seemed like the perfect time to segue from the past to the present and release some new rock’n’roll.”
There are tracks on Mystic Highway Road Trip that feel very bang up to date. Losing My Mind is soul searching as it seeks to find sense in a senseless world. Shadow Walk introduces some acoustic moodiness, creating atmosphere right from the off. Closer Somebody’s Always Doing Something To Somebody bristles with contemporary cynicism, somehow finding the brightness in it. It’s a final defiant treatise with classic rock swagger.
The adage is that they don’t write them like they used to, but Allen has proved it wrong in this EP. He’s taken the best of history, worked with some stellar musicians, and recreated rock for the modern age. And, of course, for a road trip.
Mystic Highway Road Trip is out now, and you can listen to it below.
Supported by Musosoup #SustainableCurator
