Self release via Two Side Moon [Release date January 2013]
M.I.C. is the brainchild of Canadian vocalist, guitarist and song-writer Yvon Serre, who over the last 8 years has carved out an AOR niche in China and Japan.
During that period the band underwent several line-up changes, but the music has remained steadfast to the kind of riff driven, harmony laden Classic rock. It’s music that will always find a market somewhere, if not back home in their native Canada or North America.
In embracing the global potential of their derivative rock – think Lizzy and AC/DC licks, Tubes and Cheap Trick style harmonies – M.I.C. have successfully tried to be all things to all people, both demographically and historically. The end result is ten mid -tempo tracks that at times veer too close to elevator music.
The melodic songs with booming hooks offer a wide appeal, though Yvon’s nasal vocal style restricts the arrangements to a familiar verse, chorus formula with strangely subdued guitar parts.
‘5th Avenue’ never really catches fire because of a circumspect production in which everything is mixed back. It’s as if the band is hedging its best. The result is a surfeit of mid-tempo songs that make the album sound claustrophobic, and no amount of whoops in the studio can generate any real excitement.
Listen for example to the guitar work on ‘What You Mean To Me’ on which the uplifting chorus is scuppered by some cotton wool sounding guitars, when the song demands an up in the mix solo.
The best moments come on the unison guitar sweep and strong hook of ‘Miracle Of Life’ and the riff driven pop-rock of ‘Sweet Christeen’. There are also some obvious triggers on the album like the catchy hook of ‘Serial Killers’ and the good time Quo style ‘Rockin’ Rollin’ It’, but most of the material is simply too generic with a familiar feel of recycled licks and telegraphed hooks.
Still, when you have made major inroads into the developing global rock market you can sense the appeal. *** (3/5)
Review by Pete Feenstra
http://www.yvonserre.com/mic/
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
Next session: Sunday 19 January
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024
In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections
Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
