Disco Saints

Item: Cosmic Cowboy
Author: Bert Gangl

Cosmic Cowboy

(1996)

Reviewed by Bert Gangl

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Label StraightWayThe LighthouseFebruary 1997

dance pop techno worship

Although the opening seconds of the Disco Saints' sophomore release, Cosmic Cowboy, sound much like the majority of the dance-oriented praise music from their first album, Dance House Praise, it soon becomes apparent that their new release is as different as it is similar to their debut.

The most notable difference from the first work is the inclusion of guitar work here and there, giving each song more of an individual character than the songs on the debut. In contrast to the first album's mainly keyboard-driven songs, "Time To Change" makes use of a heavily distorted rhythm guitar to reinforce its medium tempo pop rock feel; "Devil Is A Liar" uses jangly, clean guitars together with typical late 70's era vocals to replicate the soaring, laid-back tempo of the vintage disco sound; and the distorted acid guitar effect on "Saved" makes its pace seem absolutely frantic.

Also, rather than merely pull together a collection of gospel hymns and popular praise choruses, Cosmic Cowboy draws from a more eclectic range of sources for many of its songs. The title track was originally written in the 1970's by Barry McGuire, who penned the famous protest song, "Eve Of Destruction," and here lends vocal narration on the remake. "Saved" is an early 80's Bob Dylan tune. "Devil Is A Liar" was originally recorded in the late 70's by the jazz fusion group, Seawind. And "Time To Change" originally appeared-of all places-on an episode of The Brady Bunch as an ode to Peter Brady's changing voice.

All of this, however, is not to say that there are no similarities between Cosmic Cowboy and the first album. The ambient sound of "I Surrender All" is reminiscent of "We Exalt Thee" (from Dance House Praise). And Desmond Pringle's soulful vocals on "I Won't Be Satisfied" and "Goin' To A Place" evoke a gospel feel similar to "Soon And Very Soon" and "I Go To The Rock" from the first album.

Needless to say, with the more eclectic music mix on Cosmic Cowboy, those who expect the new album to sound like Disco Saints' first project from start to finish will probably be disappointed. But with the varied sound of this new project, most listeners should be able to find at least a few songs that they like as well or better than any on the debut. Indeed, the Saints should be commended for an ambitious second effort and for their willingness to stretch both musically and lyrically.