Regular Columnists

Artist: Mardo
Album: "Mardo"
CD Review: Genre: Rock
Sounds Like: ?
Technical Grade: 9
Production/Musicianship Grade: 9
Commercial Value: 8
Overall Talent Level: 8
Songwriting Skills: 8
Performance Skill: 9
Best Songs: I Want A New Drug, Anyone But Me, Here She Comes
Weakness: Vocals
CD Review: Mardo, a Rock 'n' Roll band consisting of two brothers and their friend who are from a small farm town in Central California, sent in a project which displays the attitude and talent of a band on the verge of exploding into stardom. With production help from Les Pierce, they effectively illuminate their distinctive personality and a strong identity; both of which are showcased in their high quality, professional video ("Anyone But Me") which they sent to me for my viewing pleasure.

While many in the music industry debate when and how to properly "cover" a hit song, there are some artists who do what they want with it; diminishishing memories of the orginal version in the process. That's almost the case with their wickedly funky version of "I Want A New Drug," originally done by San Francisco Bay Area rockers, Huey Lewis and the News. It's captivating and can't be listened to just once. You will listen to it twice before moving on to the rest of the songs on this project - it's just that good. It should be the commercial single from this project.

Unlike other acts such as Alien Ant Farm who debuted with scorching covers (Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal") and severely disappointed with their original follow-up tracks, Mardo's opening songs, "Anyone But Me" and "Here She Comes," prove that they are in it for the long haul and are positioned to be a Rock 'n' Roll entity.

Advice: What's missing? Greater depth. Tighten the vocals and add more quality songs. Despite the room for improvement, you guys are ready NOW! Make it happen.

www.mardomusic.com