ARTIST: State Cows ALBUM: State Cows LABEL: Avenue Of Allies SERIAL: 10 08 0016 YEAR: 2010 SPONSOR: Avenue Of Allies COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: LINEUP: Daniel Andersson - vocals, guitars * Stefan Olofsson - keyboards, bass Additional Musicians: Jay Graydon - guitar solo 'New York Town', Peter Holmqvist - guitar solo 'Come To The Point', Mikael Sandstrom - guitar solo 'Stella By The Barlight', Peter Kivimaki - saxophone 'Looney Gunman', Goran Tuborn - guitar solo 'Lost In A Mindgame' TRACK LISTING: 01 I've Changed * 02 New York Town * 03 Come To The Point * 04 Stella By The Barlight * 05 Mystery Jane * 06 Painting A Picture * 07 Tunisian Nights * 08 Looney Gunman * 09 Riding This Highway * 10 No Mans Land * 11 Lost In A Mind Game RATING: WEBLINKS: www.statecows.com

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Background
OMG, it's Airplay resurrected in 2010!! Surely not? Hot damn, if you're listening to State Cows, then wind your memory banks to 1980, yep folks, thirty years have passed since 1980's rather magnificent 'Airplay' album, but this Swedish duo, along with a helping hand of friends is so WEST COAST, that the term East Coast has been totally thrown out the window. The duo in question: Daniel Andersson and Stefan Olofsson hail from the northern reaches of Sweden, way up there in Umea, a city it would seem is the capital of all things West Coast music oriented. Playing in a local band called The Posers, the pair have been busy within the genre, with Andersson also releasing a solo album 'Days In L.A' two years ago on Sweden's Zink Music label, plus they put together a shortlived outfit called 2nd Arrangement, which was essentially a Steely Dan tribute band, but more importantly became the basis of State Cows. There is a great selection of guests on the album, none more important than Jay Graydon himself, a real coup indeed for the duo. Let's take a listen..

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The Songs
'I've Changed' - classic sounding West Coast never sounded better with this opening track. Reminders of Airplay's unforgettable 'Nothing You Can Do About It' trickle through as if it were 1980 all over again.

'New York Town' - a tribute to the Big Apple, a bright sounding tune with a nod to Bill Champlin's style, capped off by a stinging guitar solo courtesy of the West Coast Godfather - Jay Graydon.

'Come To The Point' - this is a cruisy sounding track, lots of horn work which evokes that whole Los Angeles session scene down to a tee.

'Stella By The Barlight' - an interesting mix of West Coast and fusion, a busy song with an urban vibe that shouts out 'very cool'.

'Mystery Jane' - Airplay is revisited once again, more great horn work and stabbing pianos will have David Foster looking over his shoulder with intrigue!

'Painting A Picture' - along with the opener, this track just touches all the right spots. Like a musical massage, complete with Rhodes and a chorus and harmony vocals which could have been sourced from 1982!

'Tunisian Nights' - this one sets the scene for a North African adventure. Lyrically, you can imagine Rupert Holmes meeting up with Bill Champlin for a martini in some ritzy bar in downtown Tunis, along with a bevy of exotic ladies.

'Looney Gun' - the song title is bemusing for sure, though the music is far from looney! More splashes of Airplay styled West Coast dabble across the soundscape; the saxophone solo adding more colour to the overall arresting situation! lol!

'Riding This Highway' - easy on the ear, a laid-back track with a hint of Michael Learns To Rock in the mix.

'No Man's Land' - a brief minute and a half synth excursion, very much in the vein of Eddie Jobson circa UK. Different though because of the short run time, it's not really indicative of State Cows as a whole.

'Lost In A Mind Game' - the longest track on the album at seven minutes, this one takes us back to the 70s with its shuffly near disco like quality. Similarities to Michael McDonald and also his tenure with the Doobie Brothers are a close fit; other listeners might hear other influences in there too.

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In Summary
I can see that in a few years that State Cows might become a closet classic among West Coast fans, such is its positioning next to the likes of the aforementioned Airplay, Marc Jordan, David Roberts, Nielsen Pearson and Pages. Though there are only a handful of guitar solos, the remainder is made up of synth and sax solos, giving the CD a bit of variety. It looks as if much care and attention to detail has been applied to this album, and if you've been acquiring a ton of 70's and 80's West Coast material from around the Net, then think about adding a 2010 addition to your CD collection. West Coast fans should aim their credit cards at your nearest CD retailer without hesitation. Along with Shining Line, another fantastic release for Avenue Of Allies!

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