Spring Break
CD review: "Cosmic Egg"
Patrick Haynes
Issue date: 11/4/09 Section: The Edge
Back in 2006, Wolfmother was an Australian hard-rock trio who had just released its self-titled debut CD worldwide. The band consisted of lead guitarist and singer Andrew Stockdale, bassist and keyboardist Chris Ross, and drummer Myles Heskett.
The album featured the worldwide hit "Woman," which was played repeatedly on the radio and featured on video game soundtracks ranging from "Madden NFL 2007" to "Guitar Hero II."
In August of 2008, rumors began spilling that Heskett and Ross had left the band after differences with Stockdale about the direction of the band. Months passed with many of the band's fans wondering if Wolfmother would ever return. Fans began to despair.
Flash-forward to February of this year, and Wolfmother re-emerged as a completely new band, though still under the unquestionable leadership of Stockdale, who was joined by new guitarist Aidan Nemeth, drummer Dave Atkins and bassist Ian Peres. In late October, their second album, "Cosmic Egg," was finally released.
The presence of the new lineup with more members is immediately evident on "Cosmic Egg," as the rhythm section of Peres and Atkins are much more in touch with each others playing style than Heskett and Ross ever were. Wolfmother is able to expand its journey into hard rock even further, due to progression in Stockdale's talent from touring and the heavy riff-based style of the new members.
The first song, "California Queen," proves this fact, as the multitude of guitar tracks that begin with the song is something that never occurred on the debut, as Stockdale was the lone guitarist. The riffs are faster and heavier. The second song, and the first single "New Moon Rising," continues this pattern, while also showing off the skills of new drummer Atkins. The lyrics also refer to a new start, something the band can immediately relate to.
This pattern continues through the first four songs, until the fifth, "In the Morning," which features something else new for the band: a ballad. The style recalls many of the White Stripes' more recent singles and possibly shows the future direction of the band.
The album featured the worldwide hit "Woman," which was played repeatedly on the radio and featured on video game soundtracks ranging from "Madden NFL 2007" to "Guitar Hero II."
In August of 2008, rumors began spilling that Heskett and Ross had left the band after differences with Stockdale about the direction of the band. Months passed with many of the band's fans wondering if Wolfmother would ever return. Fans began to despair.
Flash-forward to February of this year, and Wolfmother re-emerged as a completely new band, though still under the unquestionable leadership of Stockdale, who was joined by new guitarist Aidan Nemeth, drummer Dave Atkins and bassist Ian Peres. In late October, their second album, "Cosmic Egg," was finally released.
The presence of the new lineup with more members is immediately evident on "Cosmic Egg," as the rhythm section of Peres and Atkins are much more in touch with each others playing style than Heskett and Ross ever were. Wolfmother is able to expand its journey into hard rock even further, due to progression in Stockdale's talent from touring and the heavy riff-based style of the new members.
The first song, "California Queen," proves this fact, as the multitude of guitar tracks that begin with the song is something that never occurred on the debut, as Stockdale was the lone guitarist. The riffs are faster and heavier. The second song, and the first single "New Moon Rising," continues this pattern, while also showing off the skills of new drummer Atkins. The lyrics also refer to a new start, something the band can immediately relate to.
This pattern continues through the first four songs, until the fifth, "In the Morning," which features something else new for the band: a ballad. The style recalls many of the White Stripes' more recent singles and possibly shows the future direction of the band.
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