Mongrel

Bob Seger - Mongrel

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CD Details

Artist: Bob Seger
Edition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Dictionary); English (Published)
CD Release Date: 1993-01-26
Music Label: Capitol
Soundtracks:

Song To Rufus
Evid Edna
Highway Child
Big River
Mongrel
Lucifer
Teachin Blues
Leanin On My Dream
Mongrel Too
River Deep-Mountain High

Music reviews of Mongrel

Music Review: on the growl
Rating: 3 Stars

Just as the Buffalo Bills were unable to secure a Super Bowl despite four appearances in the early 1990's, 'Mongrel' is the third in the Bob Seger System's series of failures to stick an album in the upper echelons of Billboard's charts during the psychedelic era. The album was hardly visible at number 171 in August of 1970, but that is more of a testimony to the savage competition that existed at the time, as well as an indictment of a serious omission by the public to recognize Seger's talent. While it's easy to knock the album, what explanation is there for a song like 'Lucifer', one of Bob's most tasty compositions, being unable to break into the Top 40?

This third release by Seger under the moniker of the Bob Seger System is one of the artists most politicized, hard-rock statements. It catches Seger indulging plentifully in his trademark raspy growl, even preaching to the choir in the title track, "spread my freedom and scream for my rights". Seger's reluctance to re-issue 'Mongrel' may in part be due to his strong anti-drug stance, which wasn't always reflected early in his career with lyrics such as "I'm a junk runner honey, hotter than the noonday sun" from the hard-rock opener 'Song To Rufus'. The songs also include frequent signs of the times, with lyrics such as "if you've got love, you're gonna get through" from 'Big River' and the anti-draft statement that is 'Leanin' On My Dream'. The highly politicized blues track 'Highway Child' reflects the eco-consciousness of the era, and serves up the highly plaintive "I'm so apathetic, I can't believe I'm free" lyric.

Aside from 'Lucifer' which is probably Seger's funkiest rock number, featuring lyrics that take us back to Ramblin' Gamblin' Man and Lucy Blue, the best track is the System's cover of Ike and Tina Turner's 'River Deep - Mountain High'. The song was penned by Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry ('Hanky Panky') together with Phil Spector in 1966. Renditions have been added by The Animals and Deep Purple, and Seger manages to match their raw energy and then some. His version starts out hot, and barrels into a firry coda with a great lead guitar flourish.

While the rest of the songs are all good, few demand frequent listening. 'Evil Edna' and 'Mongrel' are undistinguished rockers, while 'Big River', a tight ballad of the type Seger would become best known by in the mid-1970's, and 'Mongrel Too' offer the acoustic slow-tempo diversions. 'Mongrel Too' features the same lyrics as 'Mongrel', but really isn't worthy of the revisit. 'Leanin' On My Dream', though less confrontational than Seger's classic anti-war track '2+2=?', features a taut basic rhythm guitar riff and a nice lead guitar meandering all around it.

'Mongrel' is sandwiched between two even less distinguished Seger discs, 'Noah' and 'Brand New Morning', and more than anything else represents the anguish Bob endured honing his sound. It definitely has its moments, but the best of Bob was soon to come in efforts such as 'Smokin' O.P.'s' and 'Back In '72'. 'Mongrel' is necessary for Seger completists, and worth a listen for casual fans interested in Bob's formative works, though 'Ramblin' Gamblin' Man' stands as his best early effort.

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