The End
Mammoth
Wolfgang Van Halen does a lot on The End. He writes the songs, sings and plays the instruments, including the drums. The impressive part is how rarely the record feels like an invitation to keep score. Mammoth's third album is mainly concerned with making strong, direct rock songs.
One of a Kind is a good introduction. It has weight, melody and enough movement in the arrangement to give the different parts a purpose. The playing is clearly skilled, but the song keeps a firm hold on its hook.
The title track takes the more energetic route. Its guitar work is an obvious attraction, with quick, detailed phrases placed inside a compact rock song. There's a confidence to the rhythm playing as well as the leads. Van Halen understands how to keep the whole thing moving while the guitar gets its moment.
Happy is one of the more interesting songs here. It changes the pattern without losing the clear chorus, and gives the album a little more personality. The title shouldn't lead you to expect an entirely cheerful record, either. There is anxiety in the words beneath the bright, forceful music.
That contrast helps give The End some substance. The songs often sound ready for a large room, but the vocal keeps them connected to something more personal. The Spell is another strong example of the way Mammoth combine a substantial riff with an immediately accessible melody.
The main weakness is that several songs follow a similar path. The delivery is excellent, but the writing doesn't always explore as much as the performance suggests it could. The more distinctive tracks make the straightforward ones feel a little less adventurous.
Selfish gives the later stretch another burst of aggression before All in Good Time moves towards a more hopeful finish. It's a satisfying way to close an album with a lot going on underneath its direct sound.
Mammoth have made another good rock record, with sharp playing and plenty of hooks. The strongest songs show how much room Van Halen still has to develop his own voice.
