Uh Oh
Cowboy Mouth is really all things to all people. Their brainy, sweaty mix of novelty songs, delicate psychedelia, glam, classic rock, and roots gets better and better over time. It's rare in a band that has had such a long run to maintain such brash energy and enthusiasm. While the New Orleans-based band hasn't settled down into a single groove or genre, the musicianship has been tightened up as the players tame some of their former manic energy into a more coherent musical statement. "Trouble" sounds like a missingKisstrack and is a damn sight more interesting than what the painted warriors are turning out lately. The muscular guitar licks, rather misogynist sentiments, chugging bass, and bombastic drumming is a throwback to the days when dinosaurs still roamed the earth, and that is a good thing. "Bad Girl" is a hoot, if only for the aside: "Who cares if Michael Stipe is straight or gay." Cowboy Mouth has finally captured the breathless fun of their incendiary live shows.--Jaan Uhelszki