Description
At the End of the Day is the fifth full-length album by the American progressive metal band Galactic Cowboys, released on Metal Blade Records in September 1998. The album was produced, recorded, and mixed by band member Alan Doss at Sunflower Studios in Houston, Texas; March – June 1998. The Phantom Tollbooth November ’98 Pick of the Month.
Pump up your space suit, fans, the rumors are true. At the End of the Day is a contender for their best-album-to-date crown, right up there next to Space In Your Face or whichever is your current favorite. It delivers abundantly in all the right areas of musical muscle, intense energy, and creativity. Sure, the songs are shorter than the opuses of older albums, but they are also tighter, too. The first three songs alone will knock you off your seat. The seven-song cycle «The Machine Fish Suite» that follows them is a must-hear experience chronicling the bands’ ups and downs over their ten year career. A worthy musical journey with a wealth of riffs, harmonies, and studio fun stuff, it also contrasts the corporate greed of the music business with the Golden Rule.
If that wasn’t enough, former drummer Alan Doss turns in «Through», a love-gone-wrong song, «Young Man’s Dream» highlights Huggin’s regrets of yesteryear, and «At the End of the Day» closes on an instrumental note reminiscent of Moby. What will they do next? The band has never sounded better, complete with distortion galore and guitar nods all over the map, including what sounds like flashes of Aldo Nova. Still not convinced? As an added bonus, bassist Monty Colvin offers a whole new slew of signature art work. If you are a fan, go buy this one right now. If they continue to make albums as good as this, let’s make sure it isn’t their last. [Steven Stuart Baldwin, The Phantom Tollbooth, 10/26/98]
Galactic Cowboys, a hard music quartet from Houston, Texas, with a penchant for sweet pop hooks and lush vocal harmonies, came to national attention with a 1991 self-titled Geffen Records debut. Recognizing the significance of producer Sam Taylor, then a King’s X associate, Christian fans took notice. Since that time the band has switched labels and guitarists but maintained a pristine musical commitment to music with a major cruch and munch factor.
Listening to ‘At the End of the Day’, it’s as if hard music’s ’90s flirtations with grunge and hip-hop had never happened. There’s no Korn-ball rapping, no screaming, no funk, no nonsens. The Cowboys have played late-’80s era, power-pop metal for so long and with such conviction and vigor that one is willing to ignore the time warp and enjoy. But let’s be clear: Galactic Cowboys are not some Bon Jovi wannabe. They are a real hard music band, with all the incumbent drama, ferocious guitars, punch-in-your-gut rhythms and soaring vocals. It’s just that bassist Monty Colvin and vocalist Ben Huggins have a way with melodies that’s down-right sweet, and their vocal harmonies – more Beatle-esque than barbershop – are, well, heavenly.
Lyrically, Galactic Cowboys write from a Christian perspective, without direct religious language. Addressing the social context («Nothing to Say»), the lure of feeling god-likeness («Ants»), and the yearning toward fulfillment and community in us all («Young Man’s Dream» and «Just Like Me»), these songs offer challenge, insight and finally, hope. In the meantime, they take a cold look at the music industry from the inside, as one chewed up and spit out in the seven-song «Machine Fish Suite.» Eight years later, Galactic Cowboys still surprise and delight. [Brian Q. Newcomb, CCM, November 1998]
Galactic Cowboys refuse to follow trends. ‘At The End Of The Day’, the band’s fourth outing for metal Blade, merely confirms what the band have stood for all of this time; unashamed art that is uniquely delivered by four equally unique musicians, bent on communicating truth… whilst not taking themselves too seriously! Using the poppier elements of their sound (hinted at on ‘Space In Your Face’ (’93) and partly expressed on their ’97 opus ‘The Horse That Bud Bought’); so much so, in fact, that it is impossible to pigeon hole them. Alan Doss holds the production reins; once again enhancing the band’s overall sound. Both Monty and Wally keep a stunningly tight rhythm section throughout the proceedings. As usual Ben’s vocals are on top form, both exuding passion and discipline. ‘At The End Of The Day’ sees the Cowboys still working through their past; riddled with hypocrisy and lies on the part of various record companies and certain individuals therein. Though expressed both humorously and with plenty of wit, the Cowboys continue to vent and expose some deep seated issues; manipulation («Puppet Show»), lies («Mr Magnet») and the pitfalls of the music industry («Never Understand») to name but a few. Unafraid to be brutally honest, ‘At The End Of The Day’ brims full of refreshing reflections of life going by, where despair is balanced by faith and hope in Jesus («Ranch On Mars (Part 2)», «It’s Not Over»). If you like quality music drenched in wit, coupled with lyrics that get the old grey cells working, then don’t miss out” [Alex Figgis, Cross Rhythms, February 1999]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/at-the-end-of-the-day/56825429)
CD tracklist:
01. Nothing To Say
02. Ants
03. Just Like Me
Machine Fish Suite:
04. A) Where Do I Sign?
05. B) Bright Horizons
06. C) Puppet Show
07. D) Mr. Magnet
08. E) Never Understand
09. F) Ranch On Mars Pt. 2 (Set Me Free)
10. G) How Does It Feel?
11. Young Man’s Dream
12. Shine
13. The Shape
14. It’s Not Over
15. Through
16. At The End Of The Day
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Metal Blade Records. The Japanese version of this album contained the song, “The Things They Couldn’t Say”, which was recorded in 1994, with lead vocals by then guitarist Dane Sonnier.
Well, I’ve really got nothing to say. Nothing to say. “Why is there nothing
to say..?”Well, actually, I’ve got something to say: this CD truly rocks! The Galactic Cowboys have continued to make music that is fun, happy, sad, serious (sometimes it’s gotta happen), and an overall chunkified breakfast of everything good about metal, hard modern rock, punk, acoustic rock, The Beatles, and even a bit of growling and feedback for those with dreams of going deaf by the turn of the century. It’s music of Galactic Proportions. “But don’t take my word for it!” (L. Burton, Reading Rainbow.)
At the End of the Day starts off with «Nothing to Say», and the kind of excellent, catchy chorus that keeps you singing all day at work and into the wee-hours of morning. The next song, «Ants», reported to be the new album’s first single, is a very well-written rock song and an easy favorite. With its great chorus, superb use of Monty Colvin’s vocal talent, and their marquee backing vocals, this song deserves a lot of air-play. Its more than worthy of frequent calls to radio stations; more so even than some of the songs on prior albums. Honest.
Picking favorites on an album this strong is hard. Both «Shine» and «The Shape» bear a catchy vocal mix that will prompt your conscience to recite the words all day. The «Machine Fish Suite», which fills half the disk, is a great story of the Galactic Cowboy’s past, as well as a chance to just enjoy some great songs outright. Some of the medley’s highlights include: «Where Do I Sign?», «Mr. Magnet» and, of course, «Ranch on Mars Pt.2 (Set Me Free)». Most notably, «Bright Horizons», which sounds sort of like a really quick country hoe down, has a chorus that will crack you up. It also bears another of their musical hilarities with its “1-2-3… chunka-chunka-chunka…” thing near the songs’s end–ust one of those idiosyncrasies, like the middle part of Space in Your Face’s «Where Are You Now?», that always reminds me why I like their music so much. «Bright Horizons» verses also allude to some of their earlier lyrics and definitely bring a personal element into the medley. Their humor can easily catch you off guard, at least I was amused (sorry, had to). {Editor’s note: That’s an in-joke for diehard fans referring to a song from their first album.} Also, the other songs not already mentioned, like «Puppet Show», «Never Understand», «Young Man’s Dream», and «It’s Not Over», are all substantial songs. The album’s closing track, a somber instrumental note, is different from any they have done before. Like the mellower songs «Arrow» and «My Life» from previous albums, this one also provides an appropriate “after-album mint.”
Unfortunately for fans outside Japan, the bonus track on the Japanese-only version of this album is an utterly amazing, all-acoustic song. Called «Things They Couldn’t Say», it is an awesome song, featuring a unique twist from their usual “full rockin’ love” style. For the Japanese fans and those who are willing to shell out the bucks for the import CD, it’s a true treat and unique pleasure. With a little convincing fan pressure, maybe Metal Blade will release a U.S. maxi-single of «Ants» with all of the b-sides (like «It’s Raining», «Every Knee» and «Things They Couldn’t Say».) Hey, maybe it’s time to email Metal Blade (he he he).
Overall, this album has the strength of their Metal Blade-era releases. The production is a tad better than on their last two. The lyrical and vocal allusion to their Geffen-days, the strong emphasis on vocals and great guitars (like always), and an overall balance in song styles all contribute to this album’s powerful distinctiveness. Trying to say which of their albums is better, mainly because they are all so good, is a hateful job. At the End of the Day, however, is as easy to love as their prior CDs, and a great way to get your friends, family, phone-line repairmen, and bus drivers into some great music. If you’re unable to bring your stereo system on the metro bus with you, at the very least you could drive alongside the bus with your car stereo blaring.
Congratulations to Ben Huggins, Monty Colvin, Alan Doss, and Wally Farkas for still being, well, the Galactic Cowboys! Of course, this review is extremely biased. I’m a huge fan of the band and the web master for Galactic Cowboys on the Web. Then again, remember Mr. Burton’s wonderful words of wisdom. [Dan Temmesfeld, The Phantom Tollbooth, 8/25/98]
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.