Howl to the cosmos

There is a lot to be said about a band that can call an album “Cosmic Egg” without layering on the Milky Way-curdled cheese extra thick.

See what I mean? Well, if you don’t, you should still check out Wolfmother’s latest disc, the first offering since the Aussie band’s 2005 major label, self-titled debut. They’re those guys who sang “Woman,” on a Guitar Hero II game near you.

But the style is a little different this time around.

While their debut comes off like a bad take on The Donnas meets The Darkness, “Cosmic Egg” is pure LA-glam-trash-hairmetal-sex rock. Especially the opener, “California Queen” and the title track, which is a Studio 54 designer drug party.

“Tell me all of your good reasons / tell me every word you say,” wails frontman Andrew Stockdale over rhythm guitars sounding like an intergalactic chase of sex and intrigue.
The songs all churn on, picking up speed and energy with each key change. They have the cinematic feel of suites, minus the disconnect.

Wolfmother’s “Cosmic Egg” should be horribly bad by many accounts, but instead, is awesomely good.