Review SHOGUN MOJO “Shogun Mojo”

Frontiers Music has made a habit of bringing established singers and guitarists together to see what happens when they hit the studio. The latest project is Shogun Mojo, built around former KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer and vocalist Dan Reed, with drummer Robert Ikiz and bassist Bengt Jonasson holding down the groove.

The album kicks off with the danceable “Funk Party,” setting a positive mood right out of the gate. “Under the Gun” follows with a solid chorus that occasionally brings KISS to mind, although its funky verses pull the song in a different direction. “Gonna Raise Hell” leans even further toward disco territory. There’s plenty of groove on display, but the album never quite finds its stride.

“Turn It Up” marks a low point, dragging things down with a rather uninspired approach. Clearly, not everything that shines is gold. More interesting is the band’s take on Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight.” The original is still recognizable, but Shogun Mojo gives it a decent funky makeover. It works on its own terms, though it falls well short of the atmosphere and impact that made Collins’ version so memorable.

“Fire With Fire” has a pleasant groove, but it smolders where it should burn. The final two tracks do little to change the overall picture, leaving the album short on momentum when it matters most.

Shogun Mojo looks like an intriguing pairing of guitarist and vocalist on paper. Unfortunately, the music doesn’t live up to that promise. The songwriting lacks inspiration, the energy never really catches fire, and the whole thing feels more routine than exciting. For a band with Mojo in its name, there’s surprisingly little of it to be found.