Thou Shalt Not Fall

Album Review

Although the name G Tom Mac came about in the 2000s, the name Gerard McMann has a much longer history attached to it. Back in 1987, singer/producer/songwriter McMann provided the moody, goth-minded "Cry Little Sister" for the soundtrack of the horror film The Lost Boys. In fact, many of the people who saw The Lost Boys and bought the soundtrack felt that "Cry Little Sister" was its best song, which is saying a lot when you consider that Roger Daltrey (of Who fame), INXS, and Echo & the Bunnymen were also on the soundtrack. Fast forward to 2008; McMann is leading a group called G Tom Mac, and their album Thou Shalt Not Fall is released. A solid alternative pop/rock effort, Thou Shalt Not Fall draws on influences ranging from David Bowie to Roxy Music to the Cure to goth rock. "Cry Little Sister" appears on this 49-minute CD twice (McMann includes the original 1987 version as well as a 2008 remix) along with McMann's new material, and the inclusion of a 21-year-old song (as of 2008) alongside new songs is a good move because it allows listeners to make positive comparisons. Listeners are reminded that McMann had a great song back in the late '80s, but the disc also demonstrates that McMann still has a lot going for him in the 21st century and isn't living in the past; his vocals are expressive on melodic tracks such as "Box of Fantasy," "Under Your Skin," and "All the Rage," and the hooks are consistently memorable. McMann's alternative pop/rock instincts serve him well on Thou Shalt Not Fall.