Galactic Cowboys

Description

The self-titled debut album by the American progressive metal band Galactic Cowboys was released on Geffen Records in August 1991. The album was recorded at Rampart Studios in Houston, Texas; with Sam Taylor producing. The album was called “The most exciting release of 1991” by HM Magazine editor Doug Van Pelt.

Galactic Cowboys was formed in 1989 in Houston, Texas, by bassist Monty Colvin and drummer Alan Doss of the band The Awful Truth, a metal band that released a self-titled album on Metal Blade Records in 1990. When The Awful Truth broke up, Colvin and Doss joined singer Ben Huggins and guitarist Dane Sonnier to form Galactic Cowboys. In 1990, the band was signed to DGC (an acronym for David Geffen Company, which was used for a Geffen Records subsidiary created in 1990 to focus on more progressive sounds than its parent label’s more mainstream fare) and released their self-titled debut album in 1991.

The band’s record company [Geffen/DGC] kept pushing the release of their first album back and back and back. Even though the band had great press, their debut album didn’t come until a year later. And the label’s timing couldn’t have been more off: Galactic Cowboys finally made it to stores shortly before the release of Nirvana’s historic DGC debut, Nevermind.

At last the album that followers of weird music have been waiting for. Put away all pre-conceived ideas about thrash metal and check this out. This is a complex album. Similarities with Kings X and restricted to their producer Sam Taylor, and the fact that the two bands come from Houston. There’s something for everyone on ‘Galactic Cowboys’. Music full of precise rhythm charges and meaty riffs. The lead guitar work by Dane Sonnier is subtle not screechy. Power chords dominate with much of the background filled by Monty Calvin’s four, eight or twelve string bass. But this doesn’t drown out the acoustic guitar played by Ben Huggins. Other instruments featured are harmonica, cellos and clarinet. The vocals are what give the band their focus. All four of the guys can sing not only in tune but in harmony, some of the arrangements would give the Bee Gees a hard time. Their lyrics are about space, slaughter houses, space, an oil spill and er…space. Standout tracks are «Someone For Everyone» and «Reach On Mars Reprise» which is God’s guidance. For a surreal conclusion the album ends with the reading of a school dinner menu. Buy this. If you don’t like it after three plays you’ve still got the hip hop reviews to read. [James Attlee, Cross Rhythms, October 1991]

[Arsenio Orteza, Harvest Rock Syndicate, November 1991]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/galactic-cowboys/1498256078)

CD tracklist:

01. I’m Not Amused – 6:26
02. My School – 6:42
03. Why Can’t You Believe In Me – 6:34
04. Kaptain Krude – 5:57
05. Someone For Everyone – 6:27
06. Sea Of Tranquility – 7:22
07. Kill Floor – 5:06
08. Pump Up The Space Suit – 1:20
09. Ranch On Mars Reprise – 2:10
10.1 Speak To Me – 11:30
10.2 Jazz Odd Horsey

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Geffen Records. Track 10.2 is an unlisted hidden track on the CD edition only that plays after a period of silence.

---