Company: Modular Release: 2009 Genre: Hard Rock Reviewer: Strutter
A tight fisted, rock band with no apologies and no fears
Wolfmother, the Australian wonder down under have done what few bands accomplish--outdo a critically acclaimed breakthrough album while surviving an almost complete change in lineup. Originally a trio comprising vocalist and guitarist Andrew Stockdale, bassist and keyboardist Chris Ross and drummer Myles Heskett, the band released their debut self-titled album in 2005, and reached number three on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart. Despite all of the acclaim, the cd lacked any real depth or ingenuity and while "Woman" was a capable song it did not hold the weight of all the other tunes surrounding it.
After some co-founding members left the band due to "irreconcilable personal and musical differences," Stockdale reformed the band with new members, exactly what Wolfmother needed not to become a one hit wonder resting on its laurels. Enter "Cosmic Egg" and a new breed of rock for Wolfmother that has indeed hatched. Echoing equal parts Hendrix, Who, Uriah Heep, and proto-metal/stoner rock, "Cosmic Egg" grabs you by the jugular with "California Rising" and throttles you with uncompromising, swagger and too-tight-jeans rock for twelve tracks. It may have taken four years and a few goodbyes but "Cosmic Egg" highlights what Wolfmother can really be--a tight fisted, rock band with no apologies and no fears.
