Album Review: Mother Vulture – Cartoon Violence (Self Released)

Hard rockers Mother Vulture are back with their brand-new album, ‘Cartoon Violence’. Out on January 15th, 2026.

Fiery and full of high-powered anthemic rock energy, Mother Vulture’s new album kicks a ton of ass. Exciting, interesting, and filled with passion, it’s the sound of a band in a very creative place and unwilling to let any of that go to waste. Hence why we end up with an eye-watering thirteen tracks here.

Are they high? Who has the time to listen to thirteen tracks!? Those who want to hear some varied high quality rock music, that’s who!

It all begins in a fast, intense, and adrenaline pumping way with the raucous Mike Check, where the rawer, punkiy, garage rock-style edge that Mother Vulture has is on prominent display. Before their ability to appeal to just about everyone, while being mighty weird too, is on display with Sufferin – Succotash! Then along comes Treadmill to encourage a wild bout of ‘letting loose’, albeit with experimental layers that make it more compelling.

However, as good as all these tracks are and how vital Mother Vulture sound, it’s Slow Down that really stopped me in my tracks. A moodier, heavier, and more challenging experience that has so much appeal, personally. Though speaking of challenging listens, The Masquerade might raise an eyebrow, until you remember this is Mother Vulture and being odd is essential to their being. Well, that and rocking hard, which they continue to do, but not before hitting us with the short and very damn sweet, Phoenix.

I hope you like your rock and roll to come with a big dollop of energetic sugariness, Mother Vulture style.

One of the coolest things about the album is how it’s stylised as a person flicking through radio stations. This adds some humour here and there, but also plenty of potency to statements too. It’s a clever idea, and one that feels pretty authentic, giving us variety like Corporate Programming, Double Down, Knuckles, and La Matadora. There’s plenty more weirdness, energy, and anthemic quality to be found amongst each. Hell, the latter of these tracks is an instrumental that runs an intense musical gambit making it, arguably, the most unique track on the album.

We’re not quite done yet though as the penultimate track is a 24-second flick (For Years I’ve Been Searching) through some more radio stations, ending on the announcement that Mountain of Youth has been found. Which leads nicely into a foot-tapping and finger-snapping finale that leaves a big smile on the face.

Mother Vulture have found deep creative levels on this album and the result is something that can simply be summed up as great. Fun, interesting, and exciting right to the end. This one will be getting a ton of listens throughout the year.

Mother Vulture – Cartoon Violence Track Listing:

1. Mike Check
2. Sufferin – Succotash!
3. Treadmill
4. Slow Down
5. The Masquerade
6. Phoenix
7. Corporate Programming
8. Double Down
9. Knuckles
10. Bedbugs
11. La Matadora
12. For Years I’ve Been Searching
13. Mountain of Youth

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