Solid, but scattered
In its earliest incarnations, Mofro seeped into the corners of the jam-band and roots scenes with understated elegance. On its fifth album, Georgia Warhorse, the band is hungrier for the spotlight, with frontman JJ Grey’s vocal performance proving yet again the accuracy of his act’s name. On Memphis swinger “The Sweetest Thing,” his soulful delivery even goads the legendary Maytals’ Toots Hibbert to raise his game. But for all its dexterity, the album loses its voice when it flexes its range; it tapdances across genres and a lot of the songs seem underwritten. “Gotta Know” entices with odd lyrics but fails to deliver a breakthrough moment, while “Slow, Hot & Sweaty” is funky, but formulaic. Still, there’s a warmth and texture here that’s hard not to enjoy. For those bemoaning The Black Crowes’ imminent hiatus, JJ Grey and Mofro have made a solid bid to carry the pan-Southern sonic torch.