COWBOYS, THE - Sultans of Squat LP
FEEL IT RECORDS - european pressing - but import prices - sorry!
Everybody’s here, so let’s play ball! Tried and true rock n' roll
stalwarts The Cowboys return after a brief hiatus with their delightful
sixth LP, “Sultan of Squat”. This grounded yet adventurous new album
marks the reunion of the original lineup, featuring Keith Harman
(vocals/keys), Mark McWhirter (Guitar), Zackery Worcel (Bass), and
Jordan Tarantino (drums). It is nothing short of a glorious return to
form, a long player hoping to bring a smile to the ears of listeners.
“Sultan of Squat” furthers the band's trajectory into themselves,
polishing off thirteen songs filled with dubious characters, whimsical
retreats, and even the odd love song. As with previous releases, The
Cowboys refuse to make their bed in any single genre. Lead track, “The
Sultan of Squat'' opens the album with an earworm salute to America’s
pastime while lofting a lyrical curveball of dark, defeated humor. The
boys kick it into high gear, playing with the finesse and dexterity ten
years as a band instills. It's automatic - whether they're launching
into classic Midwestern garage punk (“Raining Sour Grapes”), dialing
things back to piano-driven power pop (“Token Drifter”), or western
slide guitar pop-rock ballads ("She's Not Your Baby Anymore"), The
Cowboys are simply incredible across “Sultan of Squat”.
This could well be The Cowboys' finest hour as a group, and six albums
in - that's no easy feat. The best of the Midwest is back under the
bright lights, pouring collective blood, sweat, and tears into a sound
equal parts then and now.