Released: Oct 23, 2009
Genre: Hard Rock
Label: Modular Records
Number Of Tracks: 12
Wolfmother's sophomore album is heavy on the epic numbers, but there is plenty of incredible riff work to keep any guitar lover's interest along the way.
Cosmic EggFeatured review by: UG Team, on october 27, 2009 6 of 7 people found this review helpful
Sound: Back in November of 2007, Wolfmother frontman Andrew Stockdale revealed to Rolling Stone that his band’s second record would be “kind of cinematic” and “epic.” This is one time when a fairly vague quote has been relatively right on the mark. Wolfmother’s sophomore album Cosmic Egg sets its goals high and you almost feel like the Australian band is attempting to reach Led Zeppelin standards at various points. Do they accomplish it? They come darn close. Between the highly creative guitar tones, riffs, and overall energy throughout, Cosmic Egg is at the very least a solid album. The main issue is that almost every song seems to be striving for the “epic” status, making the listening process somewhat exhausting.
Cosmic Egg (produced by Alan Moulder of Smashing Pumpkins and A Perfect Circle fame) marks the first album since there’s been a fairly big shakeup in the band, with virtually everyone except for Stockdale now being a fresh face. The latest additions are bassist/keyboardist Ian Peres, guitarist Aidan Nemeth, and drummer Dave Atkins, and the change has not done a disservice to Wolfmother. From start to finish, it’s hard not to be swept away in Cosmic Egg’s creative arrangements and overall satisfying musicianship. In fact, I kept imagining Stockdale sitting in a room and experimenting hours upon hours with different effects – and thankfully so. The guitar work from both Stockdale and Aidan Nemeth are more often than not the driving force. Whether it’s the vintage crunch of “California Queen,” the insanely deep tones of what sounds like a wah on “Sundial,” or the sonic aspect to “Cosmic Egg,” the band keeps dipping into its effects arsenal and doesn’t allow things to get boring.
It’s impossible not to hear some similarities to other artists when listening to Cosmic Egg. Stockdale sounds like a cross between Robert Plant and Jack White, and even the song “New Moon Rising” has an overall construction like a White Stripes tune. The track “10,000 Feet” delivers some Jimmy Page-like riff work, but Stockdale works it out. You have to give Wolfmother credit for creating such an abundance of over-the-top tracks on one album. There are a few that could work well in the confines of radio, but for the most part the tracks are quite indulgent with lengthy solos and ever-changing musical sections. // 8
Lyrics and Singing: Wolfmother hasn’t broken any ground in terms of the lyrical content but that’s rarely the focal point on Cosmic Egg. There are so many more interesting things happening musically that it’s hard to become too caught up a mundane lyric or two. While a song like “In The Morning” might have a generally free-spirited, introspective theme (“When you wake up in the morning and look into their eyes; Everything you’re dreaming of is far beyond the skies”), it’s hard not to think that you’ve heard these same ideas delivered before. But again, while the lyrical content might not be the most imaginative, the music makes up for it tenfold. // 7
Impression: For the first 2/3 of listening to Cosmic Egg, it is hard to not wrap your arms around the bluesy, grooving, school-of-Zeppelin licks. There is rarely a short-and-sweet number, and for awhile it’s pretty enjoyable to go along for the ride as Stockdale unleashes solo upon solo. By the last number it does get a bit tiring, but Cosmic Egg at least shows that Wolfmother are not afraid to break out of the cookie-cutter, radio-single format. // 9
Cosmic Egg
Reviewed by:
Nirvanafan60, on march 23, 2011 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: This album was a massive breakthrough for Wolfmother getting global attention instantly from the song New Moon Rising. It was released in 2009 it has 12 tracks and is on the record label Island Records Group(IRG). When I first heard these guys it was live on a tv show called Rove performing New Moon Rising, they kinda reminded me of Led Zeppelin with a Black Sabbath vocal. I'm gonna say a mix of 70's rock and and old school metal a very cool and unique sound indeed. All the members(Andrew Stockdale: Vocals Guitar, David Atkins: Drums, Ian Peres: Bass Guitar and Keys, Aidan Nemeth: Rhythm Guitar.) have got extreme talent and these guys have gone far and will go further. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: These lyrics fit the style to the book just like something from Led Zeppelin or Black Sabbath. The lyrics are entertaining and very catchy I love them. Andrew Stockdale is an amazing vocalist and has the voice to belt out the great lyrics he writes. Most of the songs on this album were written by Andrew Stockdale or other members of the band. // 10
Impression: These guys blew mind apart and welded it back together, honestly this album is great and easy to listen to its not a full on blast wich is good for a change. The standout songs for me were cosmic egg and 10,00 feet. I love it for its unique sound and its awesome variety of sounds but it lacks in intensity in alot of places. if it were stolen or lost I would running to the store to get it. Overall a great album. // 9
yeah this band should be under the genre "extreme blah rock." It is just so slow and boring... you've gottta be reall high to get anything outta these guys.
Sundial and 10,000 Feet are definitely worth a listen but the rest of the album is a classic Zeppelin/Sabbath knock off with a bit of White Stripes and Oasis thrown in for good measure, and to be quite honest i'm kinda over it already after having it for only 3 days!! They've just resurrected an old sound, nothing groundbreaking or innovative, just some decent songwriting if anything...
[quote=lethaldosage45]
yeah this band should be under the genre "extreme blah rock." It is just so slow and boring... you've gottta be reall high to get anything outta these guys. [/quote]
I never realized rock had to be fast. I just thought it had to be good. I think you are confusing your genres here. Power metal and such crap has to be fast, no matter what the quality...
Why's everybody on a downer just because they are bringing out a rock album?? They're a ROCK BAND!! Sounds to me like they're sticking to what they do best, and in terms of 'knock offs' they couldn't have picked a better band than the mighty Zep to want to emulate. ROCK ON
Hey, power metal is awesome, and so is Wolfmother. I guess you kind of have to respect the retro-rock thing to connect with this album, I think it's pretty great, and these guys play a hell of a live show. I can't wait to see them with thenewno2 this week
Hey, power metal is awesome, and so is Wolfmother. I guess you kind of have to respect the retro-rock thing to connect with this album, I think it's pretty great, and these guys play a hell of a live show. I can't wait to see them with thenewno2 this week
Haha I guess I should clarify that Wolfmother isn't power metal/metal at all so I don't get my head chewed off
yeah this band should be under the genre "extreme blah rock." It is just so slow and boring... you've gottta be reall high to get anything outta these guys.
could have sworn someone told me music was good because of talent, not because of speed. guess that means comfortably numb is a shitty song, sorry i didnt realize that sooner. anyways, there not copying zep, thats like saying zep coppies the stones, just cause there the same genre doent mean there copycats
I listened to the first four or five songs on my walk to class this morning and the guitar work was the most interesting aspect of the music, especially if you are someone who really enjoys hearing different distorted tones appear several times in one song.
I don't understand why everybody calls them "knock offs." Based on this criteria, every band in existence is a knock off of at least one other band. It's called "influence."
I don't understand why everybody calls them "knock offs." Based on this criteria, every band in existence is a knock off of at least one other band. It's called "influence."
First intelligent thing I've heard all day. On another note, epic doesn't convert to power, so if you're some power metal geek who has to have solos that play constantly at 64/, go somewhere else and stop hating another genre just because it doesn't sound like your own favourite. since when does music have to be fast to be good? Try just appreciating development in a song, or just the relaxing atmophere of a slow song.
On a personal note: will definately check this out. I loved their first album ( even though I haven't listened to it for a long time) and will definately check this out!
I don't understand why everybody calls them "knock offs." Based on this criteria, every band in existence is a knock off of at least one other band. It's called "influence."
No, because there's a difference between having an influence and being called "knock offs." All bands have influences, but good bands should be able to balance the influences and their own sound and ideas, molding them into something original . Wolfmother has not done a good job with that. Listening to the album, there are a ton of parts that are too similiar to Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. I appreciate that theyre acknowledging some of the most important influences in rock history, but it's too generic and overdone for me. Theyre last record had a more original sound.
How the hell is Wolfmother power epic metal????
definate epic, but not metal. like searously look at their first album. there is no "metal songs
I never meant they sounded like power metal, but power metal is often defined by the energy it gives off, 'power metal epic' can pertain to a lot of different genres like film score, classical, folk. It just has to contain a lot of energy and make the listener, well feel awesome.
You think Wolfmother is SLOW?! Listen to
Dopesmoker by Sleep. The intro is on the better side of 8 minutes, with the whole thing being around 1 hour and 13 minutes, which is 21 minutes longer than all of Cosmic Egg.
debut was so sick, and the original trio probably could have made a passable sophomoric effort. But this screamingly-stockdale-solo album is ****ing horrible
Otherwise, listen to their self-titled debut album. I got to see the original lineup live in Chicago, and I have tickets to see them Nov. 13th at the same venue. First album is definitely better, but that was with a different lineup. What do you expect?
If you compare this album to their first one, its alot better. This album is more interesting and it sounds like everything that rocked about the last one is amplified here...
If you're a metalhead whos comparing this album to your all time favourite, ace of spades, then of course you're gonna be disappointed. Stop drawing comparisons to some other album, by some other band and realize this album is great.
As for those of you who are saying they're a knock off band, quit your bitching and release something better that you've done, or just shut up and continue listening to your korn cd because you think they're original.
So let me get this straight...blending the sounds of some of the best rock bands ever to exist means you're unoriginal? Seriously?
Stop criticizing. If you like it listen to it and be a fan, if you don't like it, then DON'T FUCKING LISTEN TO IT. That's why YOU have YOUR music, and I have MINE.
I dont know man... i liked there debut album. Dimensions main riff is ****in genius. i havent heard this one yet but im definatly buying it. and i gree power metal is a strech same with pcycodellic rock id say more gard rock or 70 rock and thats all
You think Wolfmother is SLOW?! Listen to
Dopesmoker by Sleep. The intro is on the better side of 8 minutes, with the whole thing being around 1 hour and 13 minutes, which is 21 minutes longer than all of Cosmic Egg.
Did you just compare Sleep to Wolfmother? Is that seriously what you just did?
This album has a much more raw sound, and I have to say I love it. Stockdales solos are much better in this album, however the songs do get a little repetitive. I do admit that the first album was overall better songwriting even though cosmic egg has some amazing songs and more complex riffs and structure
This album is amazing! it took three years, but it was way worth it. Stockdale shows that he can write some kickass tunes even without the two former members.
I really think Andrew Stockdale tried to make this album better than the last, thus making it better than the last line-up. It was a personal competition with "Old" Wolfmother. I came to this conclusion the day I bought the album. The "final" track listing only had 12 songs... I was surprised to see 4 new titles on the back, including "Non-album track" Back Round. Here's what Stockdale would be thinking - "A 16-track epic album, easily topping the last album released!". Sorry... but other than Back Round, the added tracks aren't worth listening to. They sound like B-sides that have been done over the top to be put on the album. I love this album, I love Wolfmother, but I don't think I love Andrew Stockdale a lot... he wrote every song on this album intending it to be the most epic on the album. And he succeeded with In The Castle, Violence of the Sun, In the Morning and Pilgrim. Oh, and Cosmic Egg. Too many of the songs on the album hold the "Most-Epic" title, which is a bit sad... it's still amazing though, and I recommend you buy it if your already a fan. If you aren't a fan, there's a 50-50 chance you will be after.
Ok first off what is wrong with everyone? If you have ever played the guitar or listened to music you know that its an expression, and Wolfmother is bringing back that feeling. This feeling I am talking about makes you want break things, makes you think, and actually makes you feel something. The stuff that is played on the radio isnt music...its and expression of conformity. Wolfmother has broken through this wall of conformity and what do we do....we crucify them like they are not real musician. They are however great musicians. Andrew Stockdale is a pure talented person. You say is a Led Zeppelin knock off....what I have to sya to that is, can you make music that is yours that sounds like zeppelin. And if you can why arent you. Seriously this band played "Communication Breakdown" at the ceremony where Led Zeppelin got inducted and guess what Jimmy Paige said. he said that these guys are good. Oh yeah a god like guitarist said this. I believe him. If you dont appreciate what this band is doing and what it is about than you dont know what rock is and you should go #*&^ yourself seriously. I want this sound to be what people talk about not the crap like rap music. This band is pure talent. Enjoy this band because if people keep on talking like you guys than rock is dead. I wont let it happen.....join Wolfmother and me. Dont let it die. Rock is my life and it will always be my life. VIVA LA WOLFMOTHER!!!!!
I really like this album, so much thicker than the old one which was too "radio" for me. This just makes me think of Sabbath and Zeppelin and it kicks arse IMO.
I can't believe some of the bad reviews this album is getting, not only on this website but all over. It is absolutley awesome. Some of the bad reviews say that its to much like led zeplin (when was that ever a bad thing!!) and that it is to predictable. Again spoken by people who obviously don't appreciate rock music or its make up. In some places this album is predictable, at some points you know an awesome solo is just around the corner, but thats what rock music is and has always been. Try communication breakdown or bad dog by Zeplin, they are predictable, not in any negative way but because you know how awsome the band are and how much they have to offer in each song. This is what Wolfmother have in abundance, their predictability is because of how good they are, you know its gonna get better, is this a bad thing? the success of bands like The Stones and Led Zeplin shows that it isnt.
This album is awesome.
End of story.
Wolfmother to me has always been like the band that is new but plays older, 70's style music. Some of it almost has a psychadelic quality ot it. I also really like how much better the guitar is on this than the first album. The first album is good but I have to say this one is much better.
Im here with a purely objective point of view because i neither love nor hate this band. I have heard the album on a recommend by a friend and i enjoyed it for the most part.
I couldnt help but notice how much the singer sounds like robert plant and i liked it. They had good songs but like the review said it did over do the "epic"-ness of the songs. Sundial, 10,000 ft, and violence of the sun are pretty good songs to rock to and eyes open and far away are good ballad type songs.
I feel that if they would have added a bit more contemporary sounding songs to the album instead of keeping to using older 70s rock style songs they could have really had an outstanding album. They leaned to hard on the classic rock style and unfortunately it will not do the job in a big market because we always want fresh sounds and if they can make good classic tunes that is a bonus. Newer sounding songs would have made this album better, I think.
Look at all these people that actually think people care about their opinions. Stuff like this pisses me off. Wolfmother rocks no matter what you say. If you don't like it, keep it to yourself. Wolfmother, in my opinion is the best band out there today. This is because I love classic rock. Wolfmother was inspired by all the bands I love. I wish someday I would be able to play the music I like on stage and not just go with what today tells me the music should sound like.
If Wolfmother would have said that this album would bring completely new sounds into the world of music, then you guys could complain. But they haven`t. I don´t see why some of you think this album is less enjoyable just because the sounds aren´t completely groundbreaking. I´d rather listen to this than some band trying too hard to find a new sound and failing.
And another thing: why try and stuff every band into a genre? Why say: "Wolfmother (or any band) is not metal, it´s hard rock". Just let it be and enjoy it instead of giving it a name.
I don't understand how people who don't like a certain kind of music can try to argue with someone who does like it, that it's bad. I mean I don't like rap or teenage pop stuff, I hate that shit man. But I can't /wouldn't argue that it's bad, cause how would I know whats good or bad in that genre. So personally, I love this album I think it's awesome and I love that every song is epic and dramatic. Why can't everyone just listen to what they like and say what they like without being told their music is shit by people who dont happen to like it
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