The Mowgli’s is a happy-go-lucky group of friends with a generic but sweet musical agenda. They aim to put a smile on our faces.
The seven-member rock band, which at one point had 10 members, is based in Los Angeles, where the majority of the members met in high school. Many of the songs, including single “San Francisco,” shout out with what feels like a whole crowd of voices, bringing a lively solidarity to their music.
The band’s debut album, Waiting For the Dawn, boasts a number of stellar tracks that will give Madison something to look forward to tonight at High Noon Saloon.
“Time”
A relatively silent number considering the usual vocal collectivity of the band’s songs, “Time” is a sweet, funny ballad on life. With a basic guitar progression and the occasional chime of background vocals, the lyrics can be as simple and honest as: “I don’t like time / time is making me old.” This melodic diary-entry is still hopeful and happy with a tinge of humor: “When I win the lottery / I’ll tell B of A that they can kiss my ass.”
“Leave It Up to Me”
The Mowgli’s are clearly excited about life. It’s hard to hear this song and not start dancing in your seat. It seems that the song is about goodbyes, yet it’s one of the perkiest on the album. “Leave It Up to Me” doesn’t so much as take a breathe; it’s high on its own loud energy.
“San Francisco”
Apparently the band began when Michael Vincze, who is no longer a member, and Colin Louis Dieden, guitarist and vocalist, traveled to San Francisco and wrote The Mowgli’s’ first single in a cheap motel in the city. Whether or not this song is homage to their early roots or just a random rock perusal on a great American city, who knows. The lyrics veer in both directions: “I lost my head in San Francisco, waiting for the fog to roll out.” Another high-energy number, distinguished by the flairs of a loud and angry trumpet, “San Francisco” reminds us of the band’s undeniable love for life.
“We Are Free”
“We Are Free” is strangely solemn and quiet. It clearly aims for simplicity from the beginning, which echoes with a few clean guitar chords. Lyrics are soon accompanied by a few eerie saxophone notes that together sound like the musical equivalent of a non-sequitur. The chorus surprises us, popping out from behind a previously slow song, with the background shout of “love’s not dead.” With a tinge of the surreal, “We Are Free” impresses with its emotional and musical depth.