Music Matters
Music Pick of the Week: Wolfmother's Cosmic experience
Wolfmother, “Cosmic Egg” (Modular/Interscope)
I find it interesting that when actual rock stars of the 70s (i.e. Foreigner, the Doobie Brothers, Blue Oyster Cult and just about anybody else participating in 93.7 FM’s Arrowfest on Sunday at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion) get together to relive the halcyon days, the younger generations write it off as “Geezer-fest.” But when a bunch of good-looking Australian kids like Wolfmother grow their hair out, strap on arena rock guitars and belt out recreations of the music they loved (i.e Foreigner, the Doobie Brothers, etc.)… that’s a rock and roll revolution!
(sigh) The beauty of rock n’ roll is what’s old always become new again… eventually.
Regardless of how it evolved, Wolfmother is back and its new album, “Cosmic Egg” works the power chord, extended jam and shriek for all its 70s glory. The band has a new and expanded line-up that allows singer/guitarist Andrew Stockdale do what he does best: scream like a banshee until all are screaming along with him.
First single, “Back Round,” stamps Stockdale as the next great rock falsetto, following in the footsteps of Robert Plant and Chris Cornell.
“New Moon Rising,” the latest radio track, is a string anthem that demonstrates what new rhythm guitarist Aidan Nemeth adds to the band and will make live music junkies pine for Wolfmother to get back out on the road.
After rumors that Wolfmother might be breaking up swirled last year, it appears the band is back on the track that earned it international acclaim and a Grammy award three years ago.