Musical Style: Melodic Rock	Produced By: John & Dino Elefante
Record Label: Regency	Country Of Origin: USA
Year Released: 1989	Artist Website:
Tracks: 10	Rating: 85%
Running Time: 43:05

After John Elefante replaced Steve Walsh in Kansas and contributed the lead vocals to the albums Vinyl Confessions and Drastic Measures, he left the group following the departure of its other Christian members Kerry Livgren and Dave Hope.  Elefante proceeded to put together a seven song demo, but when he was unable to secure a solo deal, he joined forces with his brother Dino and helped produce the California Metal compilation for Regency Records.  The two, however, ended up one track short and, as a result, added a song originally written for Kansas entitled "Wasn't It Love" under the name Mastedon.  When Regency later requested a full length album, the seven songs from the demo formed the foundation for Mastedon's 1989 full length debut It's A Jungle Out There. 

Please note that the brothers did not approach Mastedon as a John Elefante solo album or even as a band but rather a project.  And when taking into consideration that a total of five lead vocalists participated on it in addition to three drummers, four bassists and three guitarists, it remained a project in the truest sense of the word.  From a musical standpoint, It's A Jungle Out There can best be described as catchy and commercial flavored melodic hard rock certain to appeal to fans of Jamie Rowe-era Guardian, Novella, Shout and AdrianGale. 
 
It's A Jungle Out There showcases a professional sounding production job with polished big budget-like sonics.  A near perfect mix of rhythm and lead guitar is underscored by strong and steady bass lines.  While the drums sound satisfactory, they could have stood out in a crisper and cleaner sounding manner.

The album artwork is very well done in placing the face of a "mastodon" over the skyline of a big city.  The track listing on the back of the CD jewel case, however, does not follow the order the songs are played back.

The albums hard rocking title track perfectly complements Dave Robbins (X-Sinner) sassy lead vocal style.  The driving guitar riff introducing the song carries it strong and steady to a catchy chorus bolstered in a near mesmerizing manner by polished vocal harmonies.  An instrumental passage limited to several seconds of rhythm guitar, on the other hand, does not quite cut it.

The classic rock influenced voice of Dave Amato brings out the best in the melodic hard rocker "Glory Bound".  Quickly jumping out of the gate to a combination of rhythm guitar and keyboards, smooth sounding vocal harmonies accent the song as it approaches a chorus with a huge radio friendly hook.  Amato's sharp sounding lead guitar work carries the song over its last forty seconds.  "Glory Bound" details the believer’s eternal destiny:

And I can't slow down 'till I touch the ground
When this place that I call home, becomes a faraway land
Yeah, then the Savior comes to take, take me by the hand

I've got this feelin' in my heart
That's when I'm ready to depart
Glory bound...

A compelling blend of keyboards and bass reinforces the melodic rock of "This Is The Day" during its first verse before it picks up in pace upon attaining a good commercial flavored chorus.  The only drawback to the song comes in the form of its lack of an instrumental passage.

Perry Lee contributes his raw and raspy voice to the energetic guitar driven hard rocker "Love Inhalation".  Set in motion to an upfront mix of rhythm guitar, the song rapidly moves forward until it crests for a catchy chorus carried at an upbeat tempo.  Amato tops "Love Inhalation" off with thirty seconds of fiery lead guitar work.

After an acoustic guitar underlined by keyboards propels the ballad "Islands In The Sky" through its verse portions, it picks up in pace prior to reaching a melodic based chorus with a good emotional feel.  A nice bluesy guitar solo takes the song through a thirty second instrumental break.  "Islands In The Sky" talks about following your dreams:

Someday I'll be there, I just don't know when
It's so far away now, but it won't be then
I don't know, I don't know
Every needs a dream
Everybody needs an Island in the sky

Originally appearing on the California Metal II compilation, "Get Up" begins slowly until it abruptly picks up in pace as the rhythm guitar enters the mix in conjunction with a resounding low end.  "Get Up" incrementally gains momentum until it reaches a chorus backed by deep sounding vocal harmonies.  Steff Burnbaum spices things up with a brief but very well done guitar solo.

Amato returns to the helm on lead vocals on "Love That Will Survive", an outstanding commercial based hard rocker that had the potential to dominate FM radio.  A crisp rhythm guitar opens the song before it slows to a punchy bass line upon reaching its first verse.  Picking up in pace, the rhythm guitar steps forward and drives "Love That Will Survive" to a chorus with an infectious refuse to go away hook.  Amato also contributes thirty seconds of stylish lead guitar work.

The uninspired melodic hard rock of "Innocent Girl" does not always hold up under repeated play. While Perry Lee provides solid support with a very fine lead vocal performance, the song is held back by an ordinary sounding chorus underscored by vocal harmonies placed way too high in the mix.

Those of you familiar with Kerry Livgren's 1980 solo effort Seeds Of Change will recognize the name Dave Pack (Ambrosia), the vocalist who made a guest appearance on the albums final number “Ground Zero”.  Pack comes through with a performance every bit as strong on the ballad “Shine On” with his abundant Rob Rock-like vocal abilities.  Keyboards slowly lead the way through the songs first verse until it culminates upon reaching an immaculate chorus perfectly accentuated by Gospel-like backing vocals.  "Shine On" compares eternity to a graveyard of lost ships:

Far beneath the raging sea
On the ocean floor
So many ships, are lost eternally
With no light to guide them
To the safety of the shore
They go down for evermore

However, only one true Light points the way to eternal life: 

Though Your warning often goes unheeded
Though there are still many lost at sea
Let Your light so shine
For the few who seek to find their way to safety
From the deadly undertow that lies below

An anthem-like combination of rhythm and lead guitar buttressed by pounding drums conveys "Right Hand" through its first minute.  After the song smoothly proceeds at a mid-tempo pace during its first verse, it culminates upon reaching a sweeping chorus carried by Amato's emotionally charged vocal delivery.  Amato also displays his abundant abilities on lead guitar during the instrumental passage carrying the song over its last two and a half minutes.  "Right Hand" details the authority of God:

Sitting at the right hand of God
All my hopes and dreams they stand in front of me
As I gaze upon the Savior's glory
Reaching out and touching His hand
To know the world that I must leave behind
Is a grain in all the sands of time

I cannot help but express appreciation for the quality of the material on It's A Jungle Out There.  While the title track, "Glory Bound", "Love Inhalation", "Islands In The Sky", "Love That Will Survive" and "Right Hand" all showcase strong commercial flavored melodies, they incorporates more than ample amount of guitar driven momentum to grip your attention as well.  It is disappointing these songs were not given the opportunity by FM radio and MTV- if given the right push It's A Jungle Out There could have been a huge hit making machine.  The excellent production and top not musicianship only adds to the albums appeal.

Review by: Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing: "It’s A Jungle Out There" (3:52), "Glory Bound" (4:18), "This Is The Day" (4:12), "Love Inhalation" (4:40), "This Is The Day" (3:45)," Get Up" (4:00), "Love That Will Survive" (4:04), "Innocent Girl" (3:39), "Shine On" (4:26), "Right Hand" (6:04)

Musicians
John Elefante, Dave Amato, Perry Lee, Dave Robbins & Dave Pack – Lead Vocals
Dino Elefante, Dave Amato & Steff Burnbaum – Guitars
John Elefante – Keyboards
Dino Elefante, John Pierce, John Patitucci & Jimmy Johnson – Bass
David Raven, Phil Rowland & John Elefante - Drums

Also Reviewed: Kansas - Vinyl Confessions, Various Artist - California Metal

Reference List
Brown, Brown. "Elefantes On Parade." White Throne 13 (1993): 11-13.
Van Pelt, Doug.  "The Mystery Of Mastedon: What Makes This Elephant Tick?" Heaven's Metal 21 (1989): 8-10.