IRON BRIDGE BAND – Road Not Taken (2013)

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“Road Not Taken” is the debut of New Jersey-based outfit IRON BRIDGE BAND, founded by very good guitarist and songwriter Stephen Walsh. But the main selling point of this release are the exceptionally soulful lead vocals of singer Chandler Mogel.

Having shined recently on hard melodic rockers Outloud’s latest album, Mogel is like a chamaleon (check our exclusive post about him HERE).
He is part of dark modern rockers Khaos (Mogel has also completed the debut full-length album to be released soon) and if that isn’t enough, the versatile singer has recorded lead vocals for the upcoming release of Staten Island based progressive metal band Theater Of The Absurd’s second album which is expected for release around November of this year, and has also signed on with the New York band Porphyra to record all lead vocals for their upcoming album.

But getting back to Iron Bridge Band’s “Road Not Taken”, this album breaks an even new ground for Chandler Mogel, where it of course contains his signature vocals throughout, but musically it draws influence from the greats such as The Eagles, Little River Band, Bad Company, and a bit of more new acts like Tyketto or Mitch Malloy.
The man is able to sing anything and he has the rarely seen ability and class to do it all superbly. It’s like the American counterpart of Goran Edman.
However, in the Iron Bridge Band he is not alone as Stephen Walsh not only is a delicious guitar player, he also composes some damn fine songs. the band is completed by the husband & wife grooving rhythm section of drummer Scott Suky and bassist Lanie Suky, which forge a solid and earthy foundation for the quartet’s music.
And the music here on “Road Not Taken” is a great slice of classic rock with touches from varied sub-genres.

The original 12-song set blasts off with the heart pounding “Thunder In A Sacred Place.” Mogel rocks the hypnotically poetic chorus conjuring multiple images both ‘sacred’ and ‘profane’. Walsh pushes hard with his clanging rhythm guitar and a flaming solo, while backup singer Jessie Wagner could give Robin Beck a run for her money.
“Best Wine” chugs suggestively with barely restrained lust, Mogel waxing poetic about the woman of his desires before rising to the occasion in the anthem-like chorus with Walsh accompanying with sensuous tone in complete harmony with the lyric content.
The enticingly smooth, southern-tingled melody of “Wildflower” has Mogel wisely advising ‘So dive into your soul and tell yourself that the day is mine’ as the antidote for escaping the dark, while painting a dream picture of serenity with lush, evocative metaphors.
“Petticoat Road” continues with the rocking ride through a clean riff, before the piercing ballad “All Our Yesterdays” adds some wonderful acoustics to Mogel’s awesome pipes. What a great song.

The album continues with a highlight, the dynamic, melodic rocker “Bittersweet” with some Tyketto smell. Take notice how the rhythm guitars are expertly handled. It seems a pretty simple at first glance, but the the guitar work is terrific.
“Smokin’ Gun” is soulful southern classic rocker in a traditional American mould (love the chorus) kicked forward
relentlessly by the rock steady Sukys couple. The ready for prime time “Once Beautiful (Love Like Rain)” keeps the blood pumping in an almost poppy melody. Again Mogel drives the tune with class and style. In a perfect world this should be a hit in classic rock radio.
The acoustic-powered “The Most Benevolent Wind” is sweet and charming, while next Walsh contributes the solace of an instrumental exploration with “Before I Sleep”, his acoustic guitar overlaid with golden celestial electric lines. The guy has taste, and a really good one for sure.
The album closes intimately with just the guitarist and the lead singer revisiting “All Our Yesterdays” in an unplugged format that serves to heighten the emotional ‘head slap’ of the lyrics.

The Iron Bridge Band spans and connects generations and genres with the healing, celebratory qualities of the greatest classic rock music.
“Road Not Taken” tick all the right boxes; great, emotional-filled songs (there’s not a single weak lyric here), a distinctive guitar player, a more than solid rhythm section and a top class vocalist, all wrapped by a very good production. Do yo need more?
Iron Bridge Band’s debut is one of the surprises of the year for me.
Super Recommended.

01 – Thunder In A Sacred Place
02 – Best Wine
03 – Wildflower
04 – Petticoat Road
05 – All Our Yesterdays
06 – Bittersweet
07 – Smokin’ Gun
08 – Once Beautiful (Love Like Rain)
09 – Miles To Go
10 – The Most Benevolent Wind
11 – Before I Sleep
12 – All Our Yesterdays (Acoustic)

Steve Walsh – Guitars
Chandler Mogel – Vocals
Lanie Suky – Bass Guitar
Scott Suky – Drums
Jessie Wagner – Backing Vocals

BUY IT !
www.amazon.com/Road-Not-Taken/dp/B00E8W36QQ
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