Bloomington, Indiana’s The Cowboys 4th album ‘The Bottom of a Rotten Flower‘ came out on Valentine’s Day and is a veritable box of rock and roll party tricks. But somehow we’re just getting around to featuring it and its 16 tracks of glorious classic sounding power pop.
It’s melodic, and catchy, with moments of Replacements recklessness. It’s sometimes a little quirky but in the best way not unlike pop masters Stephen Merritt, Elvis Costello or Ray Davies.
This is the fourth album by the Cowboys is kinda like a modern Midwestern version of THE WHO SELL-OUT or SOMETHING ELSE BY THE KINKS–a basic R&R band stretching its wings to embrace more varied musical elements and dig into deeper subject matter. The Cowboys grow up! And they grow in number too, with Chris Kramer (Nobunny/Slushy) joining the brilliant Mark McWhirter for a killer guitar team. Vocalist/songwriter Keith Harman alters his whooping nasal-punk a bit, with a more naturalistic approach when it fits the mood. His songwriting skills are mighty. Zackery Worcel (bass) and Jordan Tarantino (drums) provide a solid, relentless groove.
There are 16 hooky gems in this new LP. To compare the Cowboys’ songs to Pete Townshend and Ray Davies was no casual thing up front. Check “Doghouse Rag” for primo late-60s Kink-kwality pop. Then there’s the insanely hooky “Some Things Never Change,” with its nod to early 70s Sparks. And dig “Bodie, Don’t Jump” in all its bubblegum glory! The deceptively short “Deuce” with its 70s-style pop exploding into VU-like noise, “The Witch” originally performed by The Sonics.
released February 23rd, 2018
Keith Harman – vocals
Mark McWhirter – guitar
Jordan Tarantino – drums
Zack Worcel – bass
The Fat Angel Sings 