Cobra
Verde
"Easy Listening" CD
MuscleTone
Records
Genres: rock, indie rock
MuscleTone
8949 Sunset Blvd
Suite #203
West Hollywood CA 90069
Jul 26 - Aug 1 2004 |
"Name fifteen rock albums."
This seemingly simple challenge poses an interesting
conundrum. It seems to me that the more musically knowledgeable
someone is, the tougher it would be to compose a satisfying
list. While casual listeners would be happy to name off fifteen
"rock" records (Phil Collins and all), the true aficionado would probably spend so
much time dissecting each album's validity instead. There are
too many subgenres and subtle variations... does pop count as
rock? Is heavy metal true rock?
In comes Cobra Verde, content to fill up one of those
fifteen spots with Easy Listening. Though despite its billing as
pure, unadulterated rock, this album is thoroughly original - its
influences span the entire map, but the overall blend is a completely
fresh sound. "Whores" is rabid, lo-fi, Jon Spencer-esque
rawk - its raw, gritty attitude has a sort of modernized Stooges
sound. "Throw It Away" almost sounds like it belongs
on a mid-90s alternative radio playlist. Meanwhile, "The
Speed of Dreams" and "Don't Worry (The Law's Gonna Break
You)" go straight for the hooks - basking the listener in a veritable
marinade of melody and energy. In a clever twist, the
latter borrows its solo from the theme to "Midnight Cowboy."
Easy Listening is the definitive rock album ... as
"definitive" as a rock album can be.
90%
Matt Shimmer
[Vitals: 11 tracks, distributed by the
label, released 2003] |