Robots Hate Cowboys

Editor's Review:

The rock duo is now becoming a legitimate format in the mainstream thanks to a few bands who have managed indie-to-MTV crossover. Still, the idea of a rock duo is sometimes a hard one for music fans to swallow because of the minimal setup of the whole situation. And to be honest, a lot of two-person rock bands aren't very inventive with the way they approach the songwriting - missing the necessity for organic yet multiple parts and understandable but complex rhythms in favor of too many one-line compositions and too many "crazy" changes, failing to create anything really cohesive. Thankfully, Robots Hate Cowboys nicely avoid all those pitfalls, and what's more, this Chico duo creates heartfelt and honest rock that is at once unpredictably alive and thoughtfully contiguous.
This short but immaculate track listing starts with "Double," which cleanly introduces the big sound and musical nature of drummer Candice Armenta and the uniquely precise and powerful technique of bass player Andy Cose. Through songs titled "Tommy Lee," "Taps" and "Flux Capacitor," this combo displays a highly dynamic style that cleanly avoids musical schizophrenia by employing smooth shifts in tempo and tone, creating peaks of powerful explosion and valleys of contemplative exploration. Cose's ability to ride multiple, harmonically complimentary bass lines adds real depth to the whole vibe, and Armenta's inventive drum patterns utilize every possible aspect of the drum kit, combining a lively percussive element with a strong rhythmic backbone. This is duo rock done right. Cop this album.

- Max Sidman
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Record Label Independent Release Released April 2003

Tracks Double Tommy Lee 8 Strings Taps Flux Capacitor Drop C