When a disc like “Mullets Rock” comes across your desk, you can’t help but salivate at the potential. I’m talking the potential to ride a wave of classic rock clichés and a font of post-hippie patriotism. It’s the type of subject matter any self-respecting music critic would jump through hoops to review.
Alas, the mullet has peaked and is riding the shame train into a private hell of fortunately forgotten fads. What can be said of the mullet that hasn’t already been pasted on a thousand geeked-out t-shirts? Almost nothing of course, but any road trip to hell requires a solid soundtrack, and “Mullets Rock” serves at least this purpose.
With names like Boston, Kansas and .38 Special, the bands that killed time between disco and metal were about as American as they get. These southern-fried ‘70s rockers would have fronted many a USO show had we been at war in the years before 1980 hit. Sadly, .38 Special’s “Hold On Loosely” didn’t make the cut — how can you deny a band that puts two drummers on stage?
Fortunately, “Mullets Rock” supplements its ‘70s jams with a few choice tracks from the early ‘80s, including songs from Billy Squier, Loverboy, Quiet Riot and Twisted Sister. A two-disc set, the disc runs through just about every track you would expect. I have to question the inclusion of Cheap Trick’s “Surrender” and Meat Loaf’s “Bat of Hell” — great songs, but not necessarily the type of tunes one would generally associate with the almighty mullet. Again, .38 Special would have been a much better choice.
Is it a compilation to rival “Freedom Rock”? No, put “turn it up” just the same.
