AMERICAN TEARS – White Flags (2019)
Due to the very well received 2018 AMERICAN TEARS comeback album last year, the band has recorded a new record entitled “White Flags” which kicks it all up a notch. The only original member is Mark Mangold (Drive She Said), who also performs all instruments.
Formed in the fertile musical environment of Long Island, New York, the band was initially made up of Gary Sonny, on bass, Tommy Gunn on drums and Mark Mangold on keys and vocals. For the second record Greg Baze took over the bass duties. The band was a power keyboard trio, using keyboards of the day, Hammond organ, synths, mellotron, clavinet, electronic melodica and playing progressive music which showed the bands stellar musicianship.
Eclectic in their approach, their heartfelt music ranged from aggressive keyboard based extravaganzas to beautiful lush melodies circling pop of the day. The band was fortunate to have toured major venues with such bands as Peter Frampton, J. Geils, Alvin Lee, Gentle Giant, Gary Wright, John McLaughlin and many others.
They reached a wide audience and had an impressive show, topped off by Mangold doing handstands on his Hammond. Mark, surrounded by 12 keyboards, Tommy being almost invisible behind a huge battery of drums, with Gary, and later Greg, showing their bass virtuosity in front of a wall of amps, the band stressed musicianship and musicality, while exploring new sounds, and always pushing the envelope.
The third American Tears album, Powerhouse, added the guitarist and singer, Craig Brooks, and the band evolved into the critically acclaimed band Touch…but that is another story.
The fourth American Tears album “Hard Core” heralded the return by Mark to this keyboard based approach, using instruments only available in the 70’s when the band made its first foray.
“White Flags” continues the flow with anthemic melodies, salient lyrics, virtuoso musicianship and creative, unpredictable musical journeys that defy formula or category. In fact this band may be the only band on the planet playing exclusively keyboard rock.
With influences from his earlier work, tipping an occasional hat to ELP, Moody Blues and even Deep Purple, this record shows the daring, and pure emotion, that can be ripped out of those instruments. American Tears defies the term “generic” as this purely original music, and scathing lyrics, have few if any standards for comparison.
This is timeless rock, and very well dome by one of the greatest musicians from his generation
01. Turn U On
02. Wake up City
03. Hell or High Water
04. Waltz of the Angels
05. Fire Down Below
06. Give Me More
07. Love Is Love
08. Turn the Page (Blue Dog)
09. Pitch Black
10. Keep on Movin’
11. White Flags
Keys, drums, bass and vocals: Mark Mangold
Produced and Engineered by Mark Mangold
Pre Order:
www.amazon.co.uk/White-Flags-American-Tears/dp/B07QFWQPH8/
