Album review: Wolfmother's 'Cosmic Egg'

This Australian retro-rock outfit emerged in 2006 with a fat-free debut that played like "Led Zeppelin II" for Generation ADHD. Despite the band's worldwide success, two-thirds of Wolfmother's original lineup quit the group last year, citing irreconcilable creative differences with big-haired frontman Andrew Stockdale. Perhaps they were tired of killer and hungry for filler.

Or maybe it was the other way around: Assisted by three fresh recruits unlikely to tell their new boss no, Stockdale stretches his prog-metal legs on "Cosmic Egg," which with its lengthy guitar solos, trippy instrumental bits and overheated sci-fi lyrics seems more suited to genre enthusiasts than to Top 40 tourists. Given Stockdale's way with an economy-size hook, that's an unfortunate allocation of resources; too few of the dozen tracks here reach out and demand your attention the way older songs like "Woman" or "Dimension" did.

Some tunes are catchier than others: Opener "California Queen" has a leanly insistent two-note riff, while "White Feather" rides a heavy-funk groove. And as trippy instrumental bits go, well, Wolfmother's do the job; in "Violence of the Sun," for instance, there's a droning keyboard part that sounds like blood pumping through your brain.

Yet for all his laser-light-show aspirations, Stockdale's strength doesn't really lie in blowing your mind. He's more of a move-your-feet kind of guy.

-- Mikael Wood

Wolfmother
"Cosmic Egg"
DGC/Interscope
Two stars (Out of four)

Comments

[Richard H]

This album has not disappointed and has been on my wish list since it was announced. I was thrilled when iTunes emailed when it was out and i've been "moving my feet" for the past hour now and banging my head at the same time. Im going to Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Nov 21 to show my support in Vancouver and bang my ADHD mind to the sounds and lyrics of this reprised retro-rock band.

[Marc]

you should have gotten a person who listens to and enjoys music to write this review, not a bumbling fruitcake who relies on adjectives to convey his vague unsubstantiated opinions (yeah but i'm better at it)

just my two cents. thanks :)

[Pat]

I have a creeping feeling you like what mainstream tells you is good. Probably a Coldplay guy. That could just be me.

But in the bumble and background noise of radio's mainstream, it's damn good to hear a band that has been influenced by the glory days of rock, the best days of Zep and Floyd and Sabbath to create some of the best music you'll hear today. You can have Coldplay, thank you very much. I'll take some good 'ol hard rock from the guys who reestablished it.

Peace.

[Pring]

A overly harsh review. Cosmic Egg stands on its own. It is unfortunate that the band broke up and its basically a solo project now. I agree that its not as visceral as the first. But they are still my favorite band at the moment. Would love for them to expand their US tour, not hitting San Diego. Thinking its time for a road trip.

[Daniel]

I just bought this album today and as much as i don't want to agree with this article, I think it's pretty spot on. I read a lot of other reviews that were way too harsh and others that overpraised the album. It's not terrible in any sense, but some songs seem pretty week. Not too many stand out. It just doesn't hit you in the chest like the .45 caliber monster that was the debut album. Certainly not bad, but certainly not what I had hoped for. I hope they keep making music, but i hope they can come out with some better stuff and some more individually identifying material that doesn't sound ripped off from older bands.