The Cowboys — Sultan of Squat (Feel It)
Sultan of Squat by The Cowboys
The Cowboys, on this sixth album, edge further and more precariously out onto their psychedelic rainbow bridge, pushing garage pop into increasingly ornate and baroque directions Of Room of Clons in 2020, I wrote, “Out with the Wire in and in with the XTC. The Cowboys lilt and tiptoe and swoon in fey, unmistakably British ways that evoke Syd Barrett, Television Personalities and the Cleaners from Venus,” and the trend continues here. The band may be from middle America (Bloomington, Indiana to be specific) and the title track may reference the All-American pastime, but there’s something very old-world decadent about these prancing, gesturing tracks.
Indeed, “The Sultan of Squat” barrels into view on roadhouse piano, an exuberant “bop-bop-bop” chorus incanting jittery, high-kicking energy into an already nervy anthem. The piano makes the cut sound like Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci, minus the pathos. The piano reappears, boogie-ing and woogie-ing in “Token Drifter”
As before, the singing is fantastically mannered, warbling and crooning through thickets of stinging guitar. “Red Headed Playa” is perhaps the disc’s heaviest cut, launched with crushing chords and riotous drums. Yet even this one dances off on staccato upbeats and rickety choruses. And “Raining Sour Grapes” may strike a Who-like pose with windmilling power chords and abrasive dissonance, but it quickly gallops off towards glam-rock territories, a latter day Mott the Hoople in the wings.
Not to say that this band wouldn’t be a barrel of fun live, or indeed, that this giddy full-length doesn’t have its appeal. It’s a playful joyride, a sped up carnival trip through florid emotions, and if it doesn’t feel real, especially, it doesn’t feel false either. It’s just that the colors are unnaturally bright.
Jennifer Kelly
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"Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway."- John Wayne
2 inch John Wayne mini for a friend.
Like what you see, pilgrim? Ask me about commissions. You won't be disappointed.
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they don't know i'm listening to after sunset by the cowboys
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THE COWBOYS: A MUSE PLAYLIST
i am working on a really big muse thing. and it comes with playlists. i am going to drop the playlists as i work on the document. introducing, the cowboy playlist. the songs i listen to while writing any of the eleven cowboys or cowboy adjacent characters i play from or connected to the golden ranch.
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Jame for the unhinged bingo 💖 im sure u could never guess who this is 💖💖💖
feat. miscellaneous jame
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