Search - Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush :: What's Next

Easily Marino's masterpiece...

UFO6 | Los Angeles, CA USA | 07/14/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...and easily one of the Top 10 greatest rock guitar albums ever recorded.



I had to weigh "What's Next" against the "Mahogany Rush IV" album as Frank's best because the latter is nearly as good (but in a very different style.) "What's Next" narrowly wins because everything on this album came together flawlessly:

Every song is just great; the production is world-class and simply the best Frank has ever done before or since; his vocals, which (like those of many other guitar-slingers) have never been his strong suit, are exceptionally strong here and perfectly suited for the over-the-top intensity of the material; and the three cover tunes - "Roadhouse Blues," "Rock Me Baby," and "Mona" - are perfect selections to compliment Marino's and are done so powerfully they fairly eclipse the originals.



But overall, the thing that really pushes "What's Next" into 'instant classic' territory is its incredible sense of upbeat, no-compromise, pedal-to-the-metal determination that forms its backbone. It starts with Frank's shout of "Yeah!" at the beginning of track one ("You Got Livin'"), climbs to a heady crescendo in "Something Is Coming Our Way," and doesn't let up until the final tag of "Mona".

Marino was in peak form on this album - you get the distinct impression that he was having a blast recording it - and the result sounds like one of those rare, single-take live sets that succeed in capturing fully the intensity of a concert (e.g. Eric Johnson's "Alien Love Child," Hellborg/Lane/Sipe's "Time Is The Enemy," or UFO's "Strangers In The Night".)



A couple of specific notes:

The harmonica in "Roadhouse Blues" is a perfect addition to the mix - Jim Zeller's playing is brilliant and gutsy and breathes new life into the tune;

The wah pedal is perhaps the single most widely-misused guitar effect in existence, but the point roughly 3/4 into "Something Is Coming Our Way" where Frank kicks in the wah is absolutely sublime. It's like an unspoken order to other guitarists to just throw their wah pedals on the scrap heap.

That track alone is ample reason to get this disc, but that's definitely not a statement to downplay the others - "What's Next" is top-notch from start to finish."

Disappointed

Mark Andrews | 09/26/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Whilst the musical content can't be surpassed the audio quality sucks.The CD I acquired was released on Black Rose records and it was lifted from vinyl which had seen better days.Harsh top end that reminded me why many crossed to CD.Unless they re-release with material from the master tapes avoid like the plague."

One of the best rock guitar albums of all-time!!

RJ | Las Vegas, Nevada United States | 10/31/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This first time I heard this record was when I was a young kid walking into a music store. I was absolutely mesmerized by it!! To this day, I don't think I've heard a record that is as powerful and ballsy as What's Next! The guitar playing is out-of-this-world and the sound is huge!! Every track on this album is a killer. While the sound is heavy and the guitar playing is "all-out", Marino shows a huge diversity throughout, ranging from George Benson-esc jazz licks, to beautiful blues playing. The rhythm section also smokes. Paul Harwood, on bass, and Jim Ayoub, on drums, are two of rocks finest (though highly unrecognized) players. The Mahogany Rush live show from this era was absolutely out-of-this world. I've seen about a million rock shows in my lifetime, and the show that I saw on the "What's Next" tour remains to this day as one of the best experiences of my life. I was absolutely blown away!! You've gotta have this one!!"