Track 01: 'Shelter'
Opening with Jamiroquai esque funk guitar, you just know this is going to be a good track! Maxine's vocal is sharp and full of life. This track is a great sense of soul about it and really draws the listener in from the start. The musical arrangement of strings accompanying the vocal and guitar is a great take on an original sound. It reminds me of what The Last Shadow Puppets did with their tunes. Packed full of soul and drive 'Shelter' is a great album opener! Oh and Weller features on Electric Guitar too!
Track 02: 'Somewhere New'
Mark takes lead vocal on this one and asserts his voice on the album! This tune is really organic and has clearly been made with a lot of love for music. Reminiscent of The Style Council I think with its own 2015 twist COW drive this track forward. The harmonies are spot on and compliment the track very nicely. Again a great musical arrangement, COW know how to arrange a song properly which keeps the listeners attention. 'Somewhere New' has a real Folk edge too and gives the listener more than just one sound. The trumpets are a great addition and close the track perfectly.
Track 03: 'Misery'
'Misery' adds another sound to this fine album. To me personally it sounds like the music you hear in the Wild West films with the jaunty piano undertone. The vocal again is spot on and the song is layered and sounds fantastic! That's one thing you notice immediately about this album is how good the production is! It reminds me of the production on Ocean Colour Scene's 'North Atlantic Drift' album! Top quality!
Track 04: 'Earth'
Opening with a beautifully played piano segment 'Earth' brings the tone down a bit, in the form of a well written ballad. The effects used compliment the piano playing really well and the strings come into play again, adding that big band feel to the track. When listening to this tune I am reminded of The Beautiful South and that can't be a bad thing! One thing about this collection of songs is how well put together they are! Another great track!
Track 05: 'Home is Where'
This is a really chilled out tune, and is perfect to stick on after a long day at the office. Featuring Andy Lewis on the Cello and Tom Van Heel on the Drums the musical creativity is flowing in all directions. 'Home is Where' sounds absolutely massive and adds to the overall sound of the album fantastically. COW break down the musical conventions associated with Mod and add all their own flavours to the ever growing musical soup. This album moves forward with one eye firmly on the past, what a great sound!
Track 06: 'Up'
One of my favourite tracks on the album this, packed with soul, great guitar playing and good lyrics. Weller and Andy Lewis feature again on Electric Guitar and Bass. 'Up' is a real summer tune and urges you to chuck your moccasins on and get out on the floor. This track definitely takes inspiration from Motown and has a real feel-good vibe about it! Every sound comes together here and it's a great way to mark the halfway point in the album.
Track 07: 'Hit Me Inside'
A modern day Northern Soul masterpiece. 'Hit Me Inside' would not sound out of place being belted out of the PA at the Wigan Casino! The Trumpet playing is fantastic and compliments this track massively! This one is a real foot tapper and would seduce any music listener into listening to the rest of the album. Maxine's vocals are great again and Mark's guitar playing is top, what a duo! 'Hit Me Inside' will definitely feature in one of my future DJ sets and will be sure to get any dance floor moving.
Track 08: 'I've Got Mine'
Groovy and smooth are two words which come to mine for this tune. The Bongo's are a great addition to this song, it's amazing the amount of different sounds COW have incorporated into this album. The harmonies are stunning in this track and create a real dreamy atmosphere for the listener. The guitar sounds ace again and adds to the overall effect. I can imagine this tune would sound great live too! Cracking song, another one for the DJ set.
Track 09: 'Loving Breakdown'
Tranquil and peaceful would be the words I'd use to describe this song. Another great ballad and one that reminds you of how talented COW are! Everything comes together to form a great song and one that pulls the album along to its remaining three tracks. Cracking!
Track 10: 'Secrets'
'Secrets' brings the album back up again, and gets your tapping your foot again! The Flugalhorn is a great addition to the song and gives it that Style Council vibe circa 83. This tune could be the soundtrack to a charming English sitcom it has that jolly upbeat feel about it. The vocals are on point again and the Boxall's harmonies are superb! Top track, top album.
Track 11: 'Family'
The strings are present again and are sounding very fresh. A slow tune with an enchanting melody that drags your ears closer to the speaker. All the instruments are as one in this track and carry it forward. This album is bold and brave and comes out shining and 'Family' is another moment which really makes you pay attention! Excellent vibes all round!
Track 12: 'You Bring On The Sound'
This one is a really funky chilled out tune! Hammond Organ opens the track and brings it to life. 'You Bring On The Sound' is a proper soul track which has been made in 2015. It's modern whilst taking inspiration from the past, and will make your ears prick up no matter where you are. There's hints of a gospel sound in this tune and it comes to a chaotic close with clapping and harmonies galore. The Hammond plays throughout and sounds really good! Modernist music at its finest!
Get yours here: www.cowmusic.co.uk
