Cosmoline “Give Me back My Pride” (Independent, 2010).

Twin City four piece with plenty of promise.

A four-piece band from St. Paul, Minnesota, Cosmoline are an attractive proposition with a nice line in some twangy guitar (with occasional forays into dreamlike reverb) and a choice between gutsy and/or sensitive vocalist. Added to this are some songs that are well above average both in the writing and playing. 'Flame to Gasoline' is an excellent song that one could imagine being delivered by Dave Alvin while 'Coal Black Love's chiming guitars are almost a classroom lesson on how to achieve that “Americana” sound. 'Time Cheating' is a ballad that sounds like Gene Clark is at the helm and is the high point of the album.

The band are at their best when they display a world wearied delivery and the more uptempo songs seem to be a weak point. In particular 'Suicide Blonde' (not the INXS song) tries to sound like the Blasters but just doesn’t have the bluster.

A brave try with some fine sounds and well worth keeping an eye on future releases.

Date review added:  Monday, March 01, 2010
Reviewer:  Paul Kerr
Reviewers Rating:
Related web link:  buy it here