Description
Lofcaudio is the sophomore album by the American arena-rock combo Mastedon, released on Pakaderm Records in 1990, distributed by Word Records. The album was recorded by John Elefante and Mike Mireau at Pakaderm Studios in Los Alamitos, California; with brothers John and Dino Elefante producing.
When a couple of musicians are cooped up in the studio producing other artists, it can create artistic frustration. Given the opportunity of expression, this frustration can help create good art. Couple this with the perfectionist tendencies of songwriters/producers John and Dino Elefante, and you have a commercial hard rock release worthy of mainstream attention.
While last year’s ‘It’s a Jungle Out There‘ sounded more like a compilation album of various artists than a band project – due to five separate vocalists being used; this project sounds more cohesive as a whole. Even though four vocalists were used again this time (John Elefante, Dave Amato, James Dean Longacre, and Tom Bowes), they all sound very similar by singing in similar ranges. Most of the music written here is in the progressive style that the Elefantes have been known for since their songwriting input on the Kansas album ‘Vinyl Confessions‘. Keyboards weave an aural tapestry with the guitars on most every song here, complimenting each other with neither dominating. «Stampede», an instrumental with a title that furthers the elephant joke, is a good example.
Lyrically, the album is aimed at giving direction for those who are hurting (“Tell Him when your heart is crying…” – «Life On The Line») and to those who are lost (“For life has no meaning if we’re living apart.” – «It Is Done»). The worshipful «Holiest One» starts the album with its focus directly on the answer – Jesus, the great I Am.
Mastedon’s rock stomps on with such good performances that I might dare say that radio has nine good singles on this record to play for the next year. [Doug Van Pelt, CCM, September 1990]
Girder Music 2020 re-issue
Bon Jovi has ‘Slippery When Wet’, Boston has ‘More Than A Feeling’, Van Halen has ‘5150’, and Mastedon has ‘Lofcaudio’. After the success of their debut album in 1990, John and Dino Elefante formed Pakaderm Records and release this, their second album, Mastedon – ‘Lofcaudio’ on their own label. This album also features an all-star cast, but most of them aren’t named because of legal issues with other record labels. As good as 1989’s ‘It’s a Jungle’ was, it’s hard to believe the band could do any better. The talent of these brothers and the faith of the fans propelled ‘Lofcaudio’ to a level few expected. Yet fear not, as high expectations did not detract from the album’s majesty. It pulls together everything that is glorious and important about AOR and distills it sublimely. It was as if the Elefante’s were on a dangerous and relentless search of pure melodic rock perfection, and somehow, someway they found it with ‘Lofcaudio’. It’s rare that both critics and fans adore a band and an album this much. So get this 2020 Girder Records reissue of an album that captures lightning in a bottle, and enjoy the remastered and reloaded versions. Grab your air guitar, your air mic, sing these songs at the top-of-your-lungs with reckless abandon and be one more guest musician to make top-shelf music with Mastedon! [Girder Music Promo]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/lofcaudio/159437050)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Holiest One” – 4:50
A2. “Life On The Line” – 4:25
A3. “Run To The Water” – 4:30
A4. “When It All Comes Down” – 4:30
A5. “Taken Down Below” – 4:33
Side Two
B1. “Stampede” (Instrumental) – 2:27
B2. “Living For You” – 4:16
B3. “Thief In The Night” – 2:47
B4. “People Of This Time” – 4:54
B5. “It Is Done” – 3:43
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Pakaderm Records. Remastered for vinyl and re-issued on 12-inch vinyl LP (Purple with White/Black Splatter, 200 ex) by Girder Music in 2020. Also re-issued on Gold Disc.
Lofcaudio, Remastered and pressed on Purple Vinyl with White & Black Splatter, Girder Music 2020
CREDITS. Produced by John and Dino Elefante, and recorded at Pakaderm Studios. Engineered by John Elefante and Mike Mireau, with additional engineering by Jeff Simmons. Mastered by Bob Ludwig at Masterdisk. Arranged by Dino and John Elefante.
Musicians: Vocals: Dave Amato, Dean Longacre, John Elefante, Tom Bowes. Backing Vocals: Bob Carlisle, Dave Amato, John Elefante. Keyboards: John Andrew Schreiner, John Elefante. Guitar: Dave Amato, Dino Elefante, Michael Thompson, Steph Burns, Tony Palacios. Bass: Dino Elefante, John Pierce. Drums: David Raven, Mac Jack, Phil Rowland.
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