Review of Second Skin by www.look-up.net.

Mayfield Four - Second Skin (Produced by Pete Collins)

What do you do when you hear a great new rock album that just does not fit into any neat and tidy category' How do you review it when you know that the likes of Classic Rock will ignore it (ditto California, Sister Hazel, Angie Aparo, Splender, Earth To Andy, Virgos Merlot'..)' I hope I can do it justice. The music' Well, I have no doubt that this is an album of its time although there is the occasional throwback to the 70's and Pete Collins (producer) and Tom Lord Alge (mix) have created a huge soundscape which does justice to the major label (Sony) budget. The powerful opening duo are what modern day hard rock should be about with heavy melodic riffs interspersed with almost hauntingly beautiful vocals. A great start and possibly the heaviest 2 tracks on offer. 'Mars Hotel' follows and, conversely, is their most immediate and commercial song that could be the breakthrough track on US radio. 'Eden' has the feel of an epic but actually runs at less than four minutes and vocalist Myles Kennedy really shines here. 'Carry On' (sadly not a tribute to the late great Sid James) is a great modern ballad with some Zep. touches. 'White Flag' is probably the greatest song ever written (well this week anyhow!). A true epic overdosing on pure melody with killer vocals. 'Believe' is another semi-epic and album closer 'Summergirl' smooches you to a close with the best vocal performance of the lot. The Mayfield Four ROCK. (Destiny)