Word: cosmically
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...successful self-titled first album, Wolfmother had pretty lofty expectations to meet. While frontman Andrew Stockdale had been hailed as a pioneer of hard rock revival, he was in danger of getting locked into Nickelback syndrome, making a career out of rewriting the same song. On “Cosmic Egg,” however, Wolfmother—with an all-new lineup supporting Stockdale—prove they have the talent and creativity to sustain their remarkable success. With intense, intricate, and looping guitar riffs, high pitched, Zeppelin-esque screeching, and rough, blazingly fast drum beats...
Admittedly, “Cosmic Egg” does share a number of features with Wolfmother’s self-titled debut. Both albums’ tracks are filled with similarly rendered electric guitar sounds, the very occasional switch to acoustic segments, interspersed squeals, and hearty track lengths. Rapid beats are repeatedly counterbalanced with the scattering of double time, slower tempo sections. But “Cosmic Egg” takes a step towards even harder ’60s rock riffs and heavy metal intensity...
Alongside this more spartan ethos, “Cosmic Egg” provides several tracks to balance with a heavier, metallic sound. From beginning to end, “10,000 Feet” is filled with dark, sadistic, repeated low-note chords, a dominating drum set, and shrill, bestial screams. “Sundial” features intricate guitar riffs sequenced with driving, propulsive bass strangely reminiscent of a Black Sabbath throwback. The tracks maintain Wolfmother’s characteristic clumsy, hard rock style...
...While “Cosmic Egg” clearly isn’t the most diverse album, this really doesn’t detract from its overall success. If anything, it provides a unity of sorts. Almost three years after the band’s thrilling debut, Stockdale and Wolfmother’s simple formula sustains yet another record. A heavy metal behemoth, “Cosmic Egg” is proof that, when it comes to quality hard rock, there can’t be too much of a good thing...
...That makes Eternal rather too stirring to do duty as a soundtrack to a massage or dinner party, so save it for when in a cosmic mood. Pour a glass of something, close your eyes and let your soul soar through those boundless Tuvan skies. If these rousing sensations inspire you to strip off your shirt and strike macho poses while straddling a horse, well, fine. But we recommend you keep the photos to yourself...