Album Review: Mo Lowda & The Humble - 'Tailing the Ghost'

The Gist of It:

With elements of american rock, blues, modern indie, and even some progressive rock, Mo Lowda & the Humble weave rich layers of sound into Tailing the Ghost, creating an instant classic East Coast summer road trip anthem album.

My One Listen Review:

With most reviews, I can sit with the upcoming album for at least three or four weeks, giving me time to mull over my thoughts. However, I received Mo Lowda & the Humble’s Tailing the Ghost yesterday, and seeing that I have a few other big projects on my plate, I needed to figure out a quick and effective writing form (not a strength of mine) to accomplish my goal: write an interesting perspective that can help elevate the band, specifically one from my hometown of Philadelphia. My first thought is to write a stream-of-consciousness listening review.

It has been a few years since I wrote a review with one listen. The one that stands out is Goose’s Dripfield, which I did in June 2022. That worked because I knew them as a touring jam band and could pretend I was at a live show where I only had one chance to hear it. While Mo Lowda & the Humble also boasts a heavy yearly touring schedule, the phrase “An optimal road trip soundtrack” from the band's PR release stood out, especially since my wife and I recently did a West Coast road trip, and I felt I had to go with that angle.

So, please sit back and relax; it is my turn to take the wheel.

On Highway 1, Along the Oregon Coast

Camélia and I just got breakfast food and lattes at Compass Rose Café in Brookings, Oregon. The place was packed, but the wait was worth it. With treats in hand, we go to the car to start heading up the coast to Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area so that I can see some of the state's best tidal pools.

I am excited because it is my turn to drive AND choose the music. When we get situated in the car, Camélia turns to me and says, “You debated the music all morning, so what did you finally settle on?” She buckles her seatbelt and then looks at me.

            I love my wife because she is patient and puts up with my needless banter.

            “There’s too much,” I say. “I want something memorable since we are going up the Oregon Coast for the first time.” I adjust the rearview and side mirrors.

            “Do you at least have a genre?”

            “No, but I want it to be something both of us hear for the first time.”

            “Please, no more Stephen Reich,” my wife pleads.

            I laugh. “Sorry. It reminds me of a friend.”

            “Fair enough, but I need something that isn’t so cerebral.”

            I thought about it as Camélia set up our route on Google Maps. Road trip. Road trip. No Grateful Dead, Phish, or Goose. Maybe Dope Lemon. No. Something new. Then, it came to me.

            “Michael sent me an album,” I say. “They claim it is a road trip soundtrack. Wait. Wait. ‘An optimal road trip soundtrack.’”

            “Who is it?” She asks.

            “Tailing the Ghost by Mo Lowda & the Humble.”

“Fitzroy”

The guitar and the rhythm catch my attention right away. It is not what I expected, but I did not really know what to expect. Maybe the rhythm is us travelling down the road.

            I look over to Camélia to see what she thinks, but she is looking out the window contemplatively. That doesn’t help.

            It is Philly driving. Loud and slightly aggressive. I guess that makes sense, since that’s where they are from.

“Canary”

I like the name and start of this song. I listen and drive.

            We are along the coast, and it is a beautiful day. Camélia is still looking out the window. It’s hard not to watch as we pass the craggy cliffs. The sky is blue, and there are no clouds.

            The bridge of the song is perfect for the moment. I wish it continued a little longer, but I remind myself I am not listening to a jam band. Mo Lowda & the Humble sound like a band with a bit of West Coast essence in their East Coast existence. Easier going but still with a little of the road rage edge.

“The Painter”

I start to think about the titles of these songs. If I wasn’t driving, I would look up the meaning of Fitzroy. I think about asking Camélia, but she looks happy. She’s glad to be out west and thousands of miles away from work.

Painting houses. That’s what I am thinking about. It is one of my least favorite tasks, but a good working-class job. Painters get paid well. And for the most part, they never seem to be in a rush. Is that the vibe that I am getting from this album? Is the Boss an influence on all the rock that comes out of Philly? I know that’s not true, but . . .

“7.31”

Is this a time or a day? The lyrics make me think it is about getting up exactly one minute after the alarm goes off. You aren’t ready to start the day but also don’t dread it. Starting to get worn down. That says a specific age to me. Possibly my wife’s age, but she hates the morning. I think that I used to, but if I don’t sleep too long . . .

Working-class rock. But that’s what we all are, right? We are americans.

“Sara’s Got Big Plans”

I know many Sarahs who would not agree with this spelling. But I heard the only difference is that Sara is more modern than the biblical Sarah, meaning princess.  “Sara’s got a brain on her/I know you’d agree.” Yep. That’s Sara. I guess that means we trust Sara. Why not?

I have to say that I like my wife’s name better. She’s a flower which is more powerful and beautiful than nobility.

“Take the Bait”

I focus on the music again. This is a catchy song. He’s not ready to take the bait, but I feel like I am falling for it. The rhythm. This is a road trip song. We are sitting quietly, listening. I think Camélia likes this song.

I almost forget what I am doing. I am on autopilot. The short bridge is interesting, but I think about this song getting drawn out. Like a jam band. Take it to another level. Maybe it wouldn’t be interesting enough to go on for eight or nine minutes, but I think if they performed it live, I would be all about it.

“To Keep Sane in the Dark”

This song starts with drums, which might be my first time focusing on them. The guitars and lyrics stand out in the other songs, but I am glad to hear another layer. Okay. I know they were there earlier, but . . . I’m just saying . . . they finally got my attention. I completely miss the lyrics in this song, and I think I want to know what is going on. However, it is the musical background that is taking over the foreground. Earlier, I saw a Reddit post that suggested this band sounds like Kings of Leon. This song makes me wonder, but I don’t really know much about Kings of Leon.

“25 Years”

The guitar intro means this song will be one of my top three. The lyrics break in, and I want to get back to the guitar.

I imagine Camélia saying, “You aren’t a guitar person. You say that.”

Hey, she’s not lying. I am not typically a guitar person. But I think this one wants to go Punk, and I am all for it.

I hear the drums. I want this song to pick up the pace.

Okay, there is a bridge that gets a little more aggressive.

Then, I remind myself that I am looking for road trip music. Does that make this an anthem? The song that fans sing loudly?

It ends before I can decide.

“Postman”

I like the beginning of this song. Let me stop and listen.

            The ocean is beautiful.

            It goes on forever.

            I think about it being able to wipe us all out. We are so small.

            I reach over to hold Camélia’s hand. I am lucky to have a wife who likes to travel. At times, I think she is afraid to be home. But we are working to build that foundation.

            Maybe, we’ll get to know our postal carrier.

“Northside Violet”

What does this mean? I feel like there is a build to something. But I don’t think it is.

            I’m wondering how I would define road trip music. Does this album fit that for me?

            My standards are high. I truly think that live Grateful Dead and Phish shows are my perfect road music because some songs go on and on, roll into one another, and last about three hours.

            But . . .

            I’m thinking West Coast.

            The East Coast is running from city to city. Start and stop. Traffic. Out west, it might be three or four hours until you hit the next town. Especially in Oregon. Towns. Not cities. Unless you are on 5.

“Tailing the Ghost”

This song got my attention again. Then, I looked down at the time. 6:22. This is what I was looking for. It is one of my top three songs.

            I love the drums in this one. It feels a little more complex. And I like the guitar.

            The pause.

            Let them take their time getting there. This is what a road trip song is about. Don’t rush me. Help me pass the time. Or better yet, break it. Shatter the idea of time. I don’t want to be anywhere at any point. I’m just happy with my journey. Let me live in my present tense.

            Everything is terrible, but everything can also give a moment of reprieve. We all need it sometimes. The horrors of life should never win out. I know that’s impossible for some, but I wish for them small moments to cherish. The next life will bring comfort to those who are kind and compassionate. I genuinely believe that.

The album ends. I look at Camélia, knowing we have another four hours until we reach our destination.

Final Thought:

As I suggested in “Northside Violet,” this album is not a road trip soundtrack for driving Highway 1 on the West Coast. It is for that six-hour traffic jam while driving through Nashville, Tennessee. It is for going to Asbury Park, New Jersey, or along the Rust Belt. It’s that working-class edge that Philadelphians learned from Bruce Springsteen in the eighties and passed on to their children. And this is not a criticism; I am one hundred percent Lower Class and have been my entire life. I will die a working man, but by living to my standards and ideals. I am proud to know who I am, and that’s the vibe I get from Mo Lowda & the Humble’s Tailing the Ghost.

I Almost Forgot:

I looked up Fitzroy. It means, “Illegitimate son of the king.”

Favorite Songs: “Take the Bait,” “25 Years,” and “Tailing the Ghost”

Rating - 4.25 out of 5 (because I want more songs like “Tailing the Ghost”)