Title - 'The Mangoes'
Artist - The Mangoes
Not to be confused with another band closely named in their general direction, The Mangos - who are a New Jersey shore institution formed on the heels of the legendary NJ band, The Southern Cross Band, The Mangoes are actually what happens when you mix progressive rock with the pop sensibilities of the Beatles!
The answer, as I know you are raring to know, is that you get a daring concept album that tells the story of Billy and Candy as they venture into a tumultuous relationship with the music business ... and each other!
The Mangoes - better known as Bret Bingham and Tim Morse - begin their album with the openhearted angst of 'I Told You So,' which is backed by the delightful 'Mangoes Overture (Over),' the guitar-fused sway of 'Barista Girl,' and then both the slightness of 'Samba Mambo' and the mid-tempo, trumpet endorsed 'The Future (Will Be Yours).'
The pace gets picked up for the optimistic fun, and James Bluntesque 'Together (You and I),' then the synth charms of 'Stupid Chorus,' the harder rock of 'Brickwall,' and then we get the Beatlesesque 'Headed for a Fall.' As we head into the second half of this 19 track musical adventure, the fast paced 'The Future (Will Be Ours)' is up next, with the synth lite 'Surveiller,' the flowing pop sounds of '200 Yards,' and then the full rock out 'Dirty Love' along for the ride thereafter.
'Disguise' is next and is followed by the piano lite, cello-enhanced 'No Future,' then comes the gently psychedelic 'Tunnel,' the loud synth of 'Epilogue,' and then this quite brilliant new album comes to a close with the uprisingly vibrant sounds of 'Broken Soul' and, finally, The Monkees-inspired 'The Mangoes Theme.'
Reviewed by: Russell A. Trunk