A Cosmic Egg On Their Face?

It's been four years since Wolfmother released their self-titled debut album and lead singer Andrew Stockdale has returned this year with the follow up album. I mention Stockdale only because the two other original members left in early 2008 due to 'irreconcilable personal and musical differences.' That might offer some form of explanation for the lengthy wait between albums then. Not one to be defeated, notoriously big-haired Stockdale recruited not two but three replacement members and it is this line up that features on second album, 'Cosmic Egg'.

Supplying many a background track to ipod adverts, Fifa games and Guitar Hero wannabes, songs on their debut release drew comparisons to Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, with heavy drum beats, high pitched singing and effervescent guitar riffs oozing out in abundance. However, not simply content in losing two members, Wolfmother seems to have lost it's edge in the process. The new album is unquestionably focused around psychadelia rather than heavy rock and the Hendrix (listed as a favourite on their Myspace) influence is astonishingly obvious. Many might argue that for a band to be influenced so heavily by Hendrix is not necessarily a negative prospect, but when the Ozzy factor still lingers in the background it makes for a somewhat confused, rather than successful, outcome.

The first single off the album, Back Around, was originally given away to fans as a free download on their website, and received a somewhat mixed response. Some fans called for the old Wolfmother sound to return, whilst others welcomed the change in direction. To be fair to the band, Back Around is reasonably resonant of the old Wolfmother days, featuring smashing drums and heady electric riffs. Stockdale's half singing, half talking ditty towards the end of the track is rather cringingly more Rocky Horror than Rock Heavy however, and the song could easily survive without. Fortunately, 'New Moon Rising' (video below) picks up where Back Around leaves off, and without the formidable Frank N Furter factor.

Yet delve deep into the expanse of the album itself and the grunge rock slowly fades away. 'Sundial' features an opening guitar riff that is so Hendrix-esque that you almost find yourself for a moment wondering whether you actually put the right CD on. The suspense filled instrumentals accentuated in their earlier material are all but gone, and the listener can't help but notice that the overall sound is far more commercial. The majority of tracks on the album are a great deal more accessible when it comes down to being played on mainstream radio, and as we unfortunately seem to be experiencing too often these days, it's not the content but how many people that listen to it which seems to count most. With the flood of indie bands swamping the industry at the moment, it is perhaps a good thing if Wolfmother's new toned down approach exposes more listeners to heavier genres of rock. But whilst a certain number of rock bands continue to flourish in the mainstream, there are none that seem to encapsulate the 70s punk-rock psychadelic sound quite like Wolfmother did when they debuted. It's a pity that their new work has been softened for whatever reason, whether it be Stockdale's personal decision or a change instructed by the record company. Don't get me wrong, the 70s rock movement still provides a solid basis for Wolfmother's newer sound, but it has been diluted somewhat and the aftertaste is not quite as satisfying as the concentrated form.

'Cosmic Egg' is released on 26th October 2009.
http://www.wolfmother.com/