Landslide Records 1036

Scrapomatic romp through 13 tracks of swinging rhythm and blues on
their latest, Alligator Love Cry. From the Leon Redbone meets Louis
Armstrong feel of the opening "Louisiana Anna" to the jumpin' electric blues
of "Ain't Got the Smile," vocalist Mike Mattison and guitarist/vocalist Paul
Olsen serve up a juicy blue plate special of bar room Americana steeped in
tradition, spiced up with modern sensibilities and topped off with
Mattison's soulful smoky vocals.

The duo is augmented by a few other musicians throughout the album like
fiddle player and vocalist Kristina Beaty, who sings a searing duet with
Mattison on "The Other Side," a heart-wrenching Beaty original about
addiction. The electric blues of "Horsemeat" deals with the ugly reality of
life as a street hooker with tales of motels and backseats. This is modern
blues about modern problems, make no bones about it people, and the music
conveys that same grittiness beautifully.

Mattison's vocals shine throughout the album, and there are several payoff
moments where he truly lets it rip, his vocal power just rumbling up from
his gut on songs like "So Much Love" and "Raw Head." Derek Trucks was
obviously struck with the singer's talent's when he asked him to join his
band as the lead singer in 2002. Mattison has the type of pure vocal talent
where his voice would sound just as powerful and moving in front of an
audience of two as it would in front of an audience of two thousand.
Thankfully between the rigorous touring schedules of both the Derek Trucks
Band and Scrapomatic there's plenty of opportunities for Mattison fans to
get their fix.