We all like our neat little musical labels. Often they don’t do the music justice. State Cows, often referred to as yacht rock, is an example of this disservice.
Challenges, their third full-album release, does have hooky tunes, finely executed playing and superb vocals. These traits combine to lift the album above a musical label.
State Cows’ album opener, “Borrowed Time,” kicks things off with jaunty acoustic piano and tight rhythms. Touches of swirling organ, and a synth interlude underscore the level of musical sophistication. Co-leader Daniel Anderrson contributes a fine vocal, and deft guitar touches. It’s a perfect beginning. “Cease to Ever Have Been” is musically middle of the road, yet lyrically powerful. Guest sax player Samual Muntlin provides a little more simmer to the song, which recalls Robbie Dupree at his finest.
Stefan Oloffson, the other half of the State Cows braintrust, also contributes to guitars, along with session ringer Michael Landau. Oloffson also adds keyboards, bass and backing vocals. As with Steely Dan’s Katy Lied period, however, it’s difficult to determine who is playing what. I guess it doesn’t matter as each song delivers.
“Human Ladders” has a funky Doobies Brothers feel, right down to its Michael McDonald-like Fender Rhodes solo from Oloffson. “Waiting For Love,” the album’s only non-original, jumps out of the speakers with a sweat vocal interplay and more retro, yet distinctive synth work. Shades of Hall and Oates and Christopher Cross are present, yet the song is wholly original.
“Deportee” ties clavinet, bluesy guitar leads and a bouncy rhythm to move the song along. “All Over” returns to a more laid-back shuffle. The tale of a relationship gone wrong has music which belies the subject matter, replete with power harmonies. State Cows’ album-closing “WildFire” combines an infectious piano hook and backbeat, with elements a blues from the lead guitar. The result is a danceable ditty which demonstrates how versatile this band is.
In the end, State Cows has delivered another album which conquers the challenges of producing original and highly engaging rock music – whether you call it “yacht rock,” or not.
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