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Mike Lynch is the ‘real deal’. A hardcore, country singer and songwriter, with material not unlike what we hear from Tim Hus, Corb Lund and other ‘troubadour’ styled artists.  This latest collection of tunes by the St.Catharines, Ontario-based artist is truly a standout piece of work; thanks to his edgy songs and the crusty vocal delivery that gives them a contemporary twang.

There are several songs here that really standout. Songs About the Road, lives up to its name, utilizing ‘road song’ titles to get the message across (it is patterned similar to Gary Allan’s Songs About Rain lament from a couple years ago.)  In the same vein, the title track tune Road Map covers that rocky road in life and love that most everyone travels (especially ‘troubadours’). Another winner here is the hardcore traditional country tune Old Fashioned Side of Me; while the hurtin’ country  song  House Full of Mirrors is given a neat Dwight Yoakam fell.  There’s quite a variety of material on the album.  Check out the bluesy ballad Will To Survive, with Mike Lynch sounding not unlike Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy; while Turn On The Evening News, with its radio/TV news clip intro makes an interestion political statement – intended or otherwise.

Shot of Whiskey and Baby’s Long Gone are a couple of ‘drinkin’ songs that fit perfectly into this off-beat collection of songs…with none more off-beat than God Locked The Keys In Her Van, a fun tune about a good time gone bad.

Road Map, Mike Lynch’s Sixth album release, was produced by Brian Allen, and features session support from the likes of Doug Johnson (pedal Steel) , John P. Allen (fiddle), Wendell Ferguson (guitars), and a host of other top notch players.  (For info/copies vist www.lynchmusic.ca)

KNOWN for his jesting, Mike Lynch’s serious side is allowed room to grow on the Ontario singer-songwriter’s fifth studio recording.

Will to Survive is a stately song of perseverance and longevity. Songs About the Road is a haunting rocket ride in the driver’s seat of a big rig cruisin’ the Trans Canada, radio blaring, at 4 a.m. House Full of Mirrors possesses an unearthly beauty dictated by fiddle and pedal steel. Turn on the Evening News has Lynch delivering his most honest and heartfelt performance yet. Meanwhile, God Locked the Keys in Her Van demonstrates Lynch hasn’t lost his sense of humour.

Lynch’s writing has never been better and neither has his voice. Like the cassette tapes he sings about on the title track he offers something for fans of everyone from Blue Rodeo to John Prine. Road Map could be the album that has Mike Lynch going places.

FOUR stars

– Bruce Leperre – Winnipeg Free Press

And while you’re at it why not grab yourself of a couple of my previous albums?

We just completed the second instalment of our “In The Studio” videos about the making of my new album, Road Map – out this fall. Check it out here:

Mike Lynch in the Studio Part 2 from Class Act Productions on Vimeo.

New Songs and CD coming this fall!

Also, I’m working with a producer and a new Album is definitely in the works. I’ll definitely be test driving the new material this summer. With a pending release being late fall, I’m hoping.

Hey if you’re in the Toronto Area or Niagara, please see my schedule, I’m playing at C’est What? in Toronto on Thursday June 10 at 9 pm along with The Black Flies and RK Walker.

On June 11 at 7pm I’ll be at The Mansion House in St. Catharines with guests the Rapidities, and Keith Hodgeson.

See you soon, Mike Lynch