The famous Howie B has finally come out of hiding and he brings you his newest creation called Mayonnaise. He adds two other musicians and forms a band but where does Howie B take this album?

Mayonnaise – Mayonnaise (Lunatic Works)

Howie B has returned from his hibernation and he is ready to be in the spotlight yet again with his new band Mayonnaise. For those who don’t know Howard Bernstein (aka Howie B), he has been around the industry for ages, he has dated Bjork, hung out with every big artist on the planet, toured the world and even been lucky enough to be a U2 Tour Deejay. So what was left for Howie B to complete? Well he had to form a new band with Crispin Hunt and Will O’Donovan, who are not slackers themselves. Howie B is more of the figurehead for this band because he is the most well known. There is one thing that you always get from Howie B, you always get what you don’t expect. He has always been one step ahead of the industry and he is one of the original cutting edge producers, along with his friend David Holmes, they have managed to reinvent innovative music and keep us away from the rubbish that has polluted the airwaves and CD shelves for too long.

Mayonnaise – Mayonnaise (Lunatic Works)

1.Death Defying
2.To My Head
3.Blueberry
4.Because of the weather
5.Time
6.Falling Star
7.Let’s Get Out
8.Wild-Eyed Soul
9.Sky Come Down
10. Winter Song


1.Death Defying

It starts with these eerie organ sounds with the odd gong hit that comes in, nothing really attention grabbing but that was never Howie B’s style. The song picks up about 30 seconds in with a cool vocal talking about Death Defying (obvious init?). The song has an altered trip hop feel for a bassline, with some quirky sound effects coming in and out. The vocal is really different from what I’m used to hearing but it is a nice change. The breakdown happens when the vocal drops out and the drumline doubles in places and then about 25 seconds later, the vocal comes back in. The song is really dark and completely new territory for what I’m used to listening. Certainly a unique way to start a new album.

2.To My Head

“To My Head” starts with some weird noises and this very addictive bassline that seems to drive “To My Head” is added, which is then joined by a bass guitar. The vocal is sung in more of a UK rock style and you find it hard to remember who the artist is because this is nothing like Howie B’s past work. The vocal is backed by two background singers, who come in during the chorus. The track here is slightly lighter than the first track but it is still dark. It seems that Howie B has headed for more of the vocal electronic band, which I was not quite expecting but we have to roll with what we have. The bass guitar notes, really add a unique flavor to the track. The album’s vision is taking place now.

3.Blueberry

This song uses a flowery melody and this vocal comes in and it tends to mesh very well with the melody. I like it because it is real different and the song does stay in the same mold but the darn thing is so different that you don’t really care. The rest of the song contains some unique elements that are new to my ears.

4.Because of the Weather

This is a simple electronically directed song that reminds me of the British Rock bands. It makes use of a great hook that just jumps you, and the chorus is really well thought out. I’m not a big fan of any rock band from the UK not named U2 or Coldplay but this works almost too well. The thing with Howie B, he never gives you what you expect and his output keeps you on your heels. Very short yet very effective

5.Time

Time is a great downtempo wonder, it starts with some real good calming riffs, backed by an excellent drumline. The song takes the tone of the album down after the more uptempo “Because of the weather”. This is another direction that Howie B wants to go, I remember him more for Trip Hop and the odd downtempo classic. You feel like you are in the water, with your arms outstretched, looking at some beautiful trees. I like the fact with this group is they keep you guessing all the time, you never know what is coming next and that is the great thing about it.

6.Falling Star

Song number six starts with a quick tempo echoed drumline and then the vocal joins in, I believe the song is more dub influenced. The vocal is sung in the same manner as the previous five, still really different from anything that I’ve heard. A funky guitar comes in and adds to the dubbed out track here. The vocal drives this track and the rest of what they added, just flows with it. I like it, relatively simple and yet it continues the confusing nature of the CD.

7.Let’s Get Out

This is more of a dubbed out track, even though, it contains a vocal, which is refreshingly simplistic with a cool drumline. The song makes great use of guitar sound effects and the refrain "I don’t want to be here when we fucked the whole thing up", is grand. I wonder if that is why they put a warning label on this CD, poor Mayonnaise.

8.Wild-Eyed Soul

Song number eight uses some unexplainable effects to start, which I just love. The vocal comes in and it is almost an ballad at times. The effects are used more like riffs but I cannot honestly tell where they come from but it works to massive effect here. A fuzzy sound then joins in at the back and it really gives the song, something extra. The song is really weird but it must come from the mind of Howie B, so we will allow it.

9.Sky Came Down

We now reach the 2nd song from the end of the album. The song starts immediately off with a vocal, which is sung in a very haunting manner. It reminds me of Portishead for some reason, it is not trip hop like Portishead were but it has some of the same elements; haunting vocals, creepy backing riffs and a dark vision. The track is driven by a simplistic drumbeat with some powerful haunting vocals. I’m not sure exactly what genre it is, the song has elements of a lot of things; rock, trip hop and some other stuff that don’t have names yet. It is certainly forward thinking music and you expect it from anything that contains the likes of Howie B.

10.Winter Song

The final track on this very short album starts with some mechanical sound effects with a filtered organ and then a quick bassline joins it. The vocal is haunting than the previous track and it is downtempo with some indescribable elements. The track makes excellent use of some filthy riffs and the bassline is what really catches your attention. This is more downtempo than any of the previous nine songs but it seems to end the album on a good note.

Conclusion:
Howie B is an enigma, no one is like him and when he gets a group together and they make an album, you have to certainly check it out. Howie B is one of those rare visionaries who makes music the way, he wants to and that’s the whole point. The album is certainly a refreshing change from the garbage that are polluting our airwaves and CD stores. If this does not blow your mind, you can have your Gabriel and Dresden CD back but it will blow your mind.