Duda, Mark: Bodega Flowers

It’s some 5 years since I had the pleasure of reviewing the Month Of Sundays EP from The Handful’s Mark Duda, so why it’s taken him quite so long to offer us a bunch of Bodega Flowers, I’m not sure. Through a strange but catchy mixture of rock n roll, The Ramones, Americana and a little hard rock, the overall impression here is that Mark likes to tell a story and write some memorable hooks in the process. The results may not be the most earth-shatteringly innovative sounds you’re ever likely to hear and yet, if you’re looking for some straight up, stick in the mind tunes to holler along with, then “Hush Money� and “Black Eyed Susan� will definitely fit that bill.

Duda plays guitar and offers up his honest, if a little ordinary voice, with the backing of drummer Thommy Price, bassist Kasim Sultan and guitarist Jimi K Bones, with the latter also producing the crisp, clear and yet warm and welcoming sound this album comes replete with. Together the foursome make a good, honest rock n roll band who, while maybe a little reserved in attack, make no apologies for being able to simply put their heads down and get on with the job. From the kick and shout of “My Stash� to “Ambulance Song� there’s really not a foot put wrong on Bodega Flowers, even if none of it is ever going to change your life.

If it’s good time, fun rock n roll you crave, while avoiding any kind of ‘challenge’, then there are worse ways than this to while away 40 minutes or so.

Track Listing
1. Ambulance Song
2. Bodega Flowers
3. Astroland
4. Avenue a Is Dead
5. Hush Money
6. Don't Wanna Be Right
7. Black Eyed Susan
8. Wednesday
9. My Stash
10. There Goes the Band
11. Dead Again

Added: April 13th 2023
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Mark Duda @ bandcamp
Hits: 582
Language: english

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