Dark Side Cowboys - Chronicles
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Twentieth anniversary since emerging always gives a good excuse - for example, for large tour or for issuing compilation in "best of" type. The greater is a surprise, the longer fans can wait on new recordings. Dark Side Cowboys just issued after more than ten years since the release of their last album with changed membership such a compilation album, but to make it even more interesting, all tracks selected for tracklist were recorded once again. "Chronicles" is also a sign that band will not become silent - "Starvation", premiere composition, is a declaration of the direction, in which probably group will go on future releases.
Swedish band may not be classified as tycoons of gothic play known in almost every corner of the world, but on the local yard in Scandinavia they have gained a considerable reputation. It is hardly surprising their gothic rock brought a refreshment to the local scene. "Chronicles" reminds about it.
Attention is immediately caught by tuned sound. By two decades technology has moved forward, and group uses it fully. Thanks to modern production tracks gain a new dimension, but there is a kind of a hitch – in some of them electric guitar is pushed into background. It is difficult to accept it in "UnfortuNathalie", one of Dark Side Cowboy’s hits. Here procedure seems apparently to be justified, taking into consideration, the first versions of song were all acoustic, but how better blunt chorus would sound, if distorted riffs would be pushed forward. Meanwhile, piano and strings instead of making the composition deepen, flatten it.
Other classical songs appearing in "Chronicles" are "Bloodred Moon", "Loving You" and "New Religion". The latter opens compilation, which is the right choice. Catchy melody of electric guitar and keyboards interact with unobtrusive choral sound in right places and with text that remains in the head. It is DSC given in a more affordable, commercial form. Drum machine, gothic guitar, electronics, choir, melodic bass lines, characteristic vocal – those, causing unprecedented for this kind of music warmth, measures are, anyway, significant to the band’s works. Aforementioned warmth, which is present throughout material, justifies word "cowboys" in the group’s name – it associates with sun of the Wild West. Vocalist (tenor/baritone) has an interesting, expressive shade – as if Veljanov’s vocal cords were irritated by a fluffy feather - in few moments they are close to McCoy’s low registers. Style of Fields of the Nephilim from "Mourning Sun" comes in a heavy, rapid chorus of "Autumn Song" with growling. This chorus cuts jazz verses, which creates an electrifying impression.
Jazz is not the only genre that DSC experiments with, which example is a classical waltz "Paralyzed" beginning with sounds straight out of a horror movie.
One of the best album’s moments is definitely the premiere "Starvation", which only gives a place to "Dust" (and "Dust II"). "Starvation" is characterized by a monotonous rhythm, another catchy lyrics and addictive, although in comparison with other items on the tracklist it has a minimalistic melody. However, "Dust" is a real monument restored to perfection. Clear, though several times changing style, political - in terms of content, particularly danceable and extremely atmospheric, mesmerizing by rhythm and captivating with guitar lines, and finally thrilling by massive vocals, where a major role plays choir with several voices. "Dust II" completes its predecessor, kept in a more gloomy style thanks to, among others, organ keyboards, deep, dirty bass and additional guitar weight (and catching attention solo). I would dare to even compare it at some extent to "Psychonaut" diptych from FOTN.
With metal power flirts a bit "Disclosure" soften by "symphonic" elements in the background and diverse by samples – the last two factors are characteristic for many works from Swedes. Typical in the style of The Sisters Of Mercy present themselves "Tears For You", "Black Sun" and (especially) "Bloodred Moon"; in all of them unisono is sung by both sexes in part, in "Tears For You" also by independent soprano. Although they bear traces of imitation (or, in nicer words, inspiration), they fall out positively.
However, album has two weak points: clumsily imitating Alphaville "Loving You" and blurred "Nude" with fairly, uhm, specifically applied loops. Also they both do not impress with lyrics, at least you do not feel torn while skipping to the next piece.
What failed in "Nude", works in ending the album "The End Title", refreshing and gentle, in which merit is to piano and structured background.
In conclusion, it is worth mentioning that some of guest vocals belong to Kari Berg (ex-Ashbury Heights).
With no success you can search on "Chronicles" great gothic downs, even when it is certainly not too enthusiastic album. Although it allows to take a break from subsequent depressive songs. Sometimes it is worth to appreciate it. This album is a good summary of previous accomplishments of Dark Side Cowboys, it proves (especially new "Starvation"), it is worth to wait for their further achievements.
Tracklist:
01. New Religion
02. Autumn Song
03. Starvation
04. Loving You
05. Tears For You
06. Dust
07. Dust II
08. Nude
09. Disclosure
10. Paralyzed
11. Black Sun
12. Bloodred Moon
13. UnfortuNathalie
14. The End Title
Swedish band may not be classified as tycoons of gothic play known in almost every corner of the world, but on the local yard in Scandinavia they have gained a considerable reputation. It is hardly surprising their gothic rock brought a refreshment to the local scene. "Chronicles" reminds about it.
Attention is immediately caught by tuned sound. By two decades technology has moved forward, and group uses it fully. Thanks to modern production tracks gain a new dimension, but there is a kind of a hitch – in some of them electric guitar is pushed into background. It is difficult to accept it in "UnfortuNathalie", one of Dark Side Cowboy’s hits. Here procedure seems apparently to be justified, taking into consideration, the first versions of song were all acoustic, but how better blunt chorus would sound, if distorted riffs would be pushed forward. Meanwhile, piano and strings instead of making the composition deepen, flatten it.
Other classical songs appearing in "Chronicles" are "Bloodred Moon", "Loving You" and "New Religion". The latter opens compilation, which is the right choice. Catchy melody of electric guitar and keyboards interact with unobtrusive choral sound in right places and with text that remains in the head. It is DSC given in a more affordable, commercial form. Drum machine, gothic guitar, electronics, choir, melodic bass lines, characteristic vocal – those, causing unprecedented for this kind of music warmth, measures are, anyway, significant to the band’s works. Aforementioned warmth, which is present throughout material, justifies word "cowboys" in the group’s name – it associates with sun of the Wild West. Vocalist (tenor/baritone) has an interesting, expressive shade – as if Veljanov’s vocal cords were irritated by a fluffy feather - in few moments they are close to McCoy’s low registers. Style of Fields of the Nephilim from "Mourning Sun" comes in a heavy, rapid chorus of "Autumn Song" with growling. This chorus cuts jazz verses, which creates an electrifying impression.
Jazz is not the only genre that DSC experiments with, which example is a classical waltz "Paralyzed" beginning with sounds straight out of a horror movie.
One of the best album’s moments is definitely the premiere "Starvation", which only gives a place to "Dust" (and "Dust II"). "Starvation" is characterized by a monotonous rhythm, another catchy lyrics and addictive, although in comparison with other items on the tracklist it has a minimalistic melody. However, "Dust" is a real monument restored to perfection. Clear, though several times changing style, political - in terms of content, particularly danceable and extremely atmospheric, mesmerizing by rhythm and captivating with guitar lines, and finally thrilling by massive vocals, where a major role plays choir with several voices. "Dust II" completes its predecessor, kept in a more gloomy style thanks to, among others, organ keyboards, deep, dirty bass and additional guitar weight (and catching attention solo). I would dare to even compare it at some extent to "Psychonaut" diptych from FOTN.
With metal power flirts a bit "Disclosure" soften by "symphonic" elements in the background and diverse by samples – the last two factors are characteristic for many works from Swedes. Typical in the style of The Sisters Of Mercy present themselves "Tears For You", "Black Sun" and (especially) "Bloodred Moon"; in all of them unisono is sung by both sexes in part, in "Tears For You" also by independent soprano. Although they bear traces of imitation (or, in nicer words, inspiration), they fall out positively.
However, album has two weak points: clumsily imitating Alphaville "Loving You" and blurred "Nude" with fairly, uhm, specifically applied loops. Also they both do not impress with lyrics, at least you do not feel torn while skipping to the next piece.
What failed in "Nude", works in ending the album "The End Title", refreshing and gentle, in which merit is to piano and structured background.
In conclusion, it is worth mentioning that some of guest vocals belong to Kari Berg (ex-Ashbury Heights).
With no success you can search on "Chronicles" great gothic downs, even when it is certainly not too enthusiastic album. Although it allows to take a break from subsequent depressive songs. Sometimes it is worth to appreciate it. This album is a good summary of previous accomplishments of Dark Side Cowboys, it proves (especially new "Starvation"), it is worth to wait for their further achievements.
Tracklist:
01. New Religion
02. Autumn Song
03. Starvation
04. Loving You
05. Tears For You
06. Dust
07. Dust II
08. Nude
09. Disclosure
10. Paralyzed
11. Black Sun
12. Bloodred Moon
13. UnfortuNathalie
14. The End Title
