Wolfmother “Cosmic Egg” Review
In his book Killing Yourself to Live music journalist turned pop culture connoisseur Chuck Klosterman claims that as a rule, all men go through an extensive Led Zeppelin fascination at a some point between the ages of 15 and 35. With the release of their sophomore album Cosmic Egg, Wolfmother, a band coveted for its signature neo psych-rock feel, proves to be in the flesh evidence for Klosterman’s theory. The new album suggests that frontman and primary songwriter Andrew Stockdale is knee deep in his own Zoso obsession. If Wolfmother’s debut was a mid-wife/groupie’s cure for the common classic rock cold, then Cosmic Egg seems like an outright tribute to coveted albums like Houses of the Holy. Songs like the single “New Moon Rising” offer a lengthy rock rehabilitation session for those suffering from distortion and power-chord withdrawal. Cosmic Egg is chock full of lengthy guitar solos over raging rock organ and John Bonham based drum lines—the kind of music that 15 year olds are getting off to in between bong-hits in their parents’ basements. Not that there’s anything wrong with that!
However, for those who have moved on from their high school soundtrack to artists of their own generation, Cosmic Egg” could fall flat. Stockdale’s sweeping reverby vocals reign on high throughout the album and gradually begin to sound a little too familiar. “In the Morning” is catchy but ultimately comes off as a sequel to “Mind’s Eye,” while “10,000 Feet” closely resembles “Kashmir,” from Led Zeppelin’s Physically Graffiti. “California Queen,” “Phoenix,” and “Pilgrim” are the album’s driving songs that run on an everlasting supply of riffy guitar work. If any other track deserves to be a single it should be “Far Away,” a patient rock ballad that sails in on a catchy Rhodes Piano line and introspective lyrics. “Far Away” also boasts catchy choruses, and a solid bridge which tie the tune together and makes it the strongest piece of songwriting on the album.
Though Wolfmother is unarguably an honorable throwback to the epic jams of Led Zeppelin and Blue Cheer, the tracks on Cosmic Egg lack the exploration and challenge that turned songs like “Living Lovin’ Maid,†“Over the Hills and Far Away,†and other classic rock songs into memorable gems. Led Zeppelin’s albums may currently stand by and large as a rock ‘n’ roll benchmarks, yet every one of their albums is in some way a departure from the previous. It should not be forgotten that Rolling Stone is infamous for initially panning the majority of Zeppelin’s discography, notably the largely acoustic Zeppelin III, which contains two simple yet cherished rock ballads, “That’s the Way†and “Tangerine†which pinpoint the band’s steady development of style. While pre-established fans of Wolfmother may find their thirst for prog-rock pandemonium quenched, Cosmic Egg lacks the aspects of development found in the hearts of its influences.
[Review by guest contributor Dan Bindschedler.]