Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Motor Sister Ride Company: Metal Blade Release: 2015 Genre: Hard Rock Reviewer: Greg Watson

Blues-driven, rocking album

Motor Sister's story is a pretty entertaining one. Scott Ian of Anthrax had Jim Wilson's band Mother Superior play at his 50th birthday party. Along with some other musicians, Ian got onstage to jam with Mother Superior and the sound they created really struck a chord. After some time had passed, Ian contacted Jim Wilson to see if he wanted to form a group and Wilson, of course, said yes. After the addition of Pearl Aday (Scott Ian's wife) as a second vocalist, Joey Vera (Fates Warning, Armored Saint) on bass and John Tempesta (ex-White Zombie) on drums, the outfit was complete.

"Ride" is the band's efforts from a short recording session of all Mother Superior songs redone by this group. What "Ride" offers up is a blues-driven, rocking album of twelve songs hand picked by Ian and Wilson and given some incredible reworking. Ian and Wilson's guitar work will make fans tremble and shake as the music runs through them. Wilson and Aday's harmonies are second to none, as evidenced on the track "Head Hanging Low", and grace each and every song. Wilson has a bit of a Chris Cornell quality to his voice and an incredibly soulful blues croon. Pearl's vocals are an angelic, sweet add to the wonderful mix that these two create with their vocals. Vera thumps away on the bass strings and showcases his versatility and ability to slow things down a little more than what most fans are used to. Tempesta shows he still has the chops as he works the skins with the same tenacity and quality that made his sound easily recognizable on White Zombie's discography.

The album is just a damn good listen, an album you can throw in while having a beverage or cruising around. It's hard not to tap your toes and want to belt out the words on your own. Hopefully this supergroup won't be a one-and-done deal as this album from start to finish is solid and leaves you wanting so much more than the tracks that are supplied.

Bottom line, Motor Sister is a band that anyone can find something to like about and listeners will be hard pressed to not get into the music and sing along or play air guitar. This was one fun, entertaining "Ride" and hopefully the trip hasn't reached its end just yet.