Cosmic
Shakedown – Poor Man’s Symphony (Independent)
Formed in 2010, and with an EP and album already
under their collective belts, Buffalo, NY quartet Cosmic Shakedown obviously
like to keep busy. Their new release, a four-track EP they’ve entitled “Poor Man’s
Symphony” builds on their funky, loose, hard-blues-rock style and delivers a
collection that tips its hat to various combos, old and new. The guys in the
band (Tony Nash: guitar/vocals, Larry Gartley: bass/vocals, Shea Rayhn:
drums/vocals and Harold Pollinger: keys/vocals) find their groove instantly on
opening cut “Wished Upon”, and the way they combine Hammond(y) organ and jamming
electric guitar is the epitome of good time rock ‘n’ roll, whether recorded in
the early ‘70s or yesterday afternoon.
Interestingly, they keep things short and sweet. All
four tracks are done and dusted in a shade over twelve minutes, and solos are
kept reined in. “Battle of the Common Man” is the only track over three minutes,
though it’s a doozey, bringing to mind the best of the British blues-rock
bands, grunge (Blind Melon, in particular) and Crazy Horse at their most
flowing. The production is kept decidedly basic, which adds considerably to the
experience, and when played at volume, they could be set up at the other end of
the room. The remaining tracks “Sippin'” and “The Great Unrest” are equally
impressive, and as with the rest of the collection, fans of any of the above
should try and have a listen.
Phil S.
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