Atmospheric, earthy sounds are what Cobra Verde specialize in, and they deliver the goods yet again on Egomania (Love Songs). It’s a compilation of new songs, unreleased material, and tracks that have been previously unavailable on CD (from 45s released on the Sub Pop, Scat, Wabana, and Get Hip labels from 1995-96). The band shows off its many moods on this potpourri of contagious, rough-and-ready rock. The best track has to be “For My Woman,” where singer John Petkovic growls like a caged animal (with a razor-sharp bluesy edge), as a tough guitar riff fights him for the spotlight. “Chinese Radiation” momentarily serves as a calm retreat, until the group kicks into highgear MC5-style, and “Still Breaking Down” features guest vocalist Robert Pollard (of Guided By Voices, whom Cobra Verde have now joined forces with) harmonizing on its melodic chorus. It wouldn’t be a Cobra Verde album without at least one in-your-face, violent thrasher, and “A Story I Can Sell” certainly does the trick. All of the songs share a common theme — love. Good love, bad love, torturous love, and homicidal love. – Greg Prato
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