GALACTIC COWBOYS

Their 2nd album, "Space in Your Face" continues with the fun-time heavy metal sound that was prevalent on their first album, but it does seem a little rushed at times. However, you can hear the use of progressive styles that made their music a step above the typical hair metal style that had seen it's last days, and heavy metal was trying to decide at the time which way it should go. Who knew that the crazy antics of GC would hold part of the answer?

The other thing that is evident in their music is the use of harmonies, which in this album, are not quite as overused as on the debut album, but they are still there. But there is also a slight decline in the music here, as it doesn't seem that there is quite as much thought put into the music. There are some excellent prog metal gems like "Blind" which really uses the harmonic vocals quite well, and this ends up being the best and strongest track on the album, even though it is more along the lines of a heavy ballad.

Other stand outs are the surprisingly heavy "If I Were a Killer" and the Faith No More sound of "I Do What I Do" where the vocals even sound like Mike Patton. Even though "No Problems" is mostly pretty typical, the killer harmonica and guitar solo during the middle instrumental break is worth the price of the overall track. The record label wanted to keep the album down to 9 tracks, but the band didn't want to cut any of the tracks, so there are actually 2 hidden tracks; "Ranch on Mars" and "Still Life of Peace", and the album ends up being well over an hour long.

The biggest drawback on this album is pretty much the same as the debut album, by the time you get to the end of it all, the surprises and the novelty of the band and the harmonics gets worn out. But, I believe it is a bit better overall than the first album. Now, more than 25 years later, the music comes across a little cheesy at times, but it also, at times, seems like it is current. I have found, however, that I don't find it as appealing as I did back in the 90s. It just hasn't retained it's charm and head banging glory that it did back then. It's still fun to listen to every once in a while, but not very often, as it's age shows at times. Many people compare GC to Kings X, but I find at least that Kings X is even less appealing to me, where GC has a lot more variety in their sound.

Anyway, if you see this in the discount bin somewhere, and you love fun and heavy metal, and if you also want to hear the band that gets the credit for starting progressive metal, then by all means, pick it up. Just remember that it hasn't aged really well, but there are some high points on here that make it all worth while.

Starting off with the 2 first tracks namely "I'm Not Amazed" and "My School", it seems that the best prog moments come along early. Anyone listening to this the first time will think they have their hands on a great progressive metal album because these are great songs with just enough of a progressive edge to make one seem that they have their hands on some great sophisticated metal here, but the next 3 songs lean too much on straightforward heaviness and not enough inventiveness, plus the extensive use of the harmonies with the metal background tend to make the sound a little too dense while also leaning towards the commercial side of metal instead of the progressive side. These tracks become more enjoyable with more listenings as they take on their individuality, but really don't rise to far above the straightforward metal sound.

"Sea of Tranquility" is another animal altogether however. This is a very dark and heavy song that at times even becomes abrasive, but not overly obnoxious. This one is a masterpiece of metal, and even though it still tends to rely on the commercial sound, it is probably a little too experimental for the typical metal lover. It is songs like this one that kept GC from having a huge following because the sound is a little too sophisticated for the typical listener of the genre, but probably not quite inventive enough for the prog head. I absolutely love this track though and it is a very heavy track with a few rhythm changes as it enters the bridge of the song and then returns to the theme. A definite 5 star song here. Next, the band leans towards a thrash metal sound with "Kill Floor" which is about a butcher turned serial killer. Again, this is not quite hard core enough to be considered pure thrash, but it is close at least and a respected attempt at the sound. There are 2 short pieces that come next that sound nothing like filler at all and still retain the heavy sound. Any kind of reprieve from the heaviness comes on the last track "Speak to Me" which is a more dynamic sound as it moves from heaviness to a more laid back sound and, like the first few tracks, hints at a more progressive sound.

Definitely a valiant try for a debut album. More progressiveness and a better use of the harmonics would have made this a better album. But it is still a fun album in that hints of humor lie throughout the lyrics, the music is a little more sophisticated than most run of the mill metal, but not quite inventive enough for hard core prog nuts. If you go into the album not expecting anything ground breaking or out of the ordinary, you may find you like this better than you think you would have. I do like this one, and would give it 3.5 stars, but I will round it down because it leans too much on the commercial side of music. But it is a respectable debut for certain.

"T.I.M." opens with humerous spoken words then this Zappa-like music comes in followed by more spoken words then the song kicks in. It's uptempo and ends heavily. "A Different Way" opens with guitar as vocals join in.This sounds like a KING'S X tune when Ty is on vocals. "Life And Times" is fairly laid back with vocals. "Flag" is more uptempo and fuller than the last track but it's far from being a rocker. "Disney's Spinnin'" is much heavier but it does settle back when the vocals arrive.They sound like CHEAPTRICK here. "Hey Mr." opens with spoken words then the guitar comes in and it's nasty. Nice. Drums and bass join in too. Vocal melodies around 4 minutes. Not a bad tune at all. "Another Hill" opens with strummed guitar and vocals only. It's heavier though after a minute.

"Dirty hands" is laid back with guitar and BEATLES-like vocals. It does get fuller. "Boom !" has a heavy beat with someone yelling in the background. "Ordinary" is jazzy with vocal melodies then it turns heavy and picks up quickly.Then it becomes mellow with vocals. "Internalize" is an all out assaullt for the most part then it settles in. "Swimming In December" is spacey to start then it kicks in suddenly after 2 minutes, vocals also join in. It's spacey late to end it as it blends into "Song For Sybo" where it stays spacey. "Future" is mainly strummed guitar and vocal led. Cool tune. "Bucket Of Chicken" is bass / drum / organ led. "The Record Ends" is heavy to start before vocals join in. Spoken words after 3 1/2 minutes.Then for the next 9 minutes it's crazy and experimental. A lot of annoying noise really. I had to turn this down a couple of times when it came on in my store when customers were around. Grating is the word.

I think I like this better than the debut but both are really good. 3.5 stars.

"I'm Not Amused" is a good track. Love the way it opens with that cow bellowing followed by cricket sounds and breaking glass. Not your typical intro eh ? Heavy riffs follow then vocals before a minute as it settles.These contrasts continue. Check out the ripping guitar solo after 4 minutes followed by bone crushing riffs. "My School" opens with laid back guitar as reserved vocals come in. A fuller sound 1 1/2 minutes in and it sounds so good. Very KINGS X-like before 3 minutes. Nice harmonies as well. It turns heavy 3 1/2 minutes in. Gorgeous guitar solo before 6 minutes then the thunder comes in. Nice. "Why Can't You Belive In Me" opens with heavy riffs but it levels out quickly so that we get this heavy undercurrent throughout. Love the heaviness 3 minutes in as it slows down. Blistering guitar solo 4 minutes in. "Kaptain Krude" is the heaviest yet ! The tempo picks up as they offer up an all out assault. Vocals and harmonies follow. Crushing track. "Someone For Everyone" opens with gentle guitar before the heaviness arrives quickly. When the vocals come in the heaviness eases up a little. Amazing sound from before 6 minutes to the end.

"Sea Of Tranquility" is almost SABBATH-like in it's gloomy heaviness.The tempo picks up a minute in and vocals 1 1/2 minutes in. Doom-like sound 3 1/2 minutes in as it slows right down.The tempo continues to shift. Themes are repeated. We get some samples from the first man on the moon event. Vocals are back after 5 1/2 minutes. "Kill Floor" opens with aggressive guitar as drums come in like a stampede then vocals. This is very heavy a times. Great chorus and tune ! "Pump Up The Space Suit" sounds like samples from Nassau as this relentless and powerful soundscape carries on.Vocals come in.Very heavy late. "Ranch On Mars (Reprise)" is an excellent song. The vocals are passionate as the guys sing in harmony "Galactic Cowboys" over and over.

"Speak To Me" is the 11 1/2 minute closer. Strummed guitar and reserved vocals open the proceedings. Nice harmonies too. Some power 2 minutes in as the vocals get rougher. Harmonica after 3 minutes. It settles before 6 minutes as they sing "Speak to me" over and over. Ripping guitar 8 1/2 minutes in. So it stops 10 minutes in then this very jazzy soundscape comes in with horns and piano. What !? Then a teacher gives out the lunch menue for the day. Haha !

This is a really good album but the harmonies wear a little thin after a while and i've tired quickly of some of the songs.

Galactic Cowboys don´t play progressive metal as I think of that genre. Which means that this is not Dream Theater, Queensrÿche or Fates Warning influenced in any way. The style is rather a mix of primarely traditional heavy metal and hard rock with a few hints to thrash metal. In addition to that, there are a few odd-ball moments here and there that makes this album a bit different from your usual metal album. Those moments are very few though and personally I don´t consider this to be progressive metal.

I hear influences from as different bands as Extreme, Anthrax ( the rare thrashy riffing sounds so much like the grovy thrash riffing that Anthrax is known for), Guns´n´Roses ( just listen to Monty Colvin´s vocals in My School), Waltari, Suicidal Tendencies, Ugly Kid Joe, King´s X and Faith No More. The music is generally very melodic and this is especially due to Monty Colvin´s very melodic vocal lines and his background choirs which by the way are very well done. Some of the songs are pretty good and I´m enjoying I´m Not Amused, My School, Kaptain Krude and the most thrashy song on the album Sea of Tranquility while I´m having a hard time enjoying the suckery Someone for Everyone ( a bit too much like Extreme when they are most commercial and cheesy). Galactic Cowboys is the kind of band that is serious one minute and add odd-ball humour to their music the next and that kind of behaviour is pretty surely and aquired taste. I´m biased about it if I have to be frank. I guess it depends on my mood.

The musicianship is good but the drumming could have been a bit more subtle. It´s way too loud and clumsy in the quiet parts.

The production is exactly the kind of production that I associate with the early nineties and I like it. Again the biggest flaw is the drums though. They sound wrong in the mix somehow ( Maybe too loud).

I´ve listened a lot to this album and I generally enjoy it but it doesn´t really do that much for me. Overall it´s a pretty average album seen with today´s eyes but I´m sure that I would feel differently about it if I had purchased it back then. 3 stars is my rating. Fans of any of the above mentioned bands might get something out of this. I put it on, on occasion but it never gets two spins in a row.

This EP clocks in at just over a half an hour. The music is good and being an EP can be found on the internet for a really cheap price. For someone looking to get into the Galactic Cowboys this might be an affordable introduction into the band. Overall, however, I am rating this with 2 stars as it is, like with most EPs, most likely only something that will appeal to a fan or a collector.