Mama's Gun – Routes to Riches

As if we didn't have enough "Riches" here at TLOBF Towers already, London-based souk/funk outfit Mama's Gun, fronted by Andy Platt, want to show us how to find our way to some more. Rather than people called Rich though, Platt's concerns are mostly with the emotional rewards of life. To that end, Mama's Gun have crafted Routes to Riches, which is an effortless-sounding record of soul cool, as capable of ballads and smooth romantic soul as it is of biting, aggressive funk. It's this versatility of style and instrumentation, along with slick production and Platt's ability to turn his not-insubstantial vocal talents to a wide variety of songs, which makes Routes to Riches such an entertaining listen. Platt knows his soul, both classic and modern, and is able to display an impressive show of the genre's range across these songs. The retro Motown sounds of "Let's Find A Way" are as satisfying as any 60s/70s Detroit single, but there are so many other modes attempted here, and the band always give a thoroughly impressive account of themselves. The love-centred pop-soul of songs like opener "House on a Hill" and "You Are the Music" are accessible and bouyant, but they're actually arguably the album's weak point, even though they're not weak at all. It's the more strident, edgy songs on which Mama's Gun really shine.The pairing of "Psycho Territory" and "Bitch" is as good a one-two punch as any I've heard on an album this year. The former has a very repetitive guitar riff going on almost throughout its length, but it makes for a stomping, emphatic experience - the break where the riff is joined by a cackling "Thriller"-esque laughter is a real smile-from-ear-to-ear moment if ever there was one. "Bitch" is possibly the album's lyrical highlight, a scathing condemnation of a person consumed by greed, envy and narcissism. The song's main vocal hook, "Ain't your life a bitch, baby?" is just gloriously satisfying, a real verbal snipe.There's so much to Mama's Gun's sound. The songs are given texture and strength by groovy funk guitar, strings, Stevie Wonder-esque keys, great backing and lead vocals... everything here just oozes self-assurance and laid-back cool. Ultimately, Routes to Riches is an excellent pop album, a surfeit of riches in itself.Mama's Gun on MySpace