### Cowboy Prostitutes: Let me have your heart

#### 13/10/09 || Trauma

What the fuck is a cowboy prostitute? Is it a cowboy that is a prostitute, or a prostitute for a cowboy? I must say that this is something bugging me to no end. Of course, you can easily tell that they are in fact non-native English speakers, let alone non-Americans, when you get such a fine example of a moniker. Seriously, might as well rename yourselves Prostitute for a Cowboy and then get confused with Job For a Cowboy. Is there a deeper meaning for the name? Probably not, seeing as what we have here is Rock N’ Roll.

Yes, rock n’ roll. Musically it’s all there, nothing to bitch about. It’s all been done before, yes, and it works. If you get off on rock n’ roll, or just enjoy listening to it, you’ll not hate this band. The vocals, while far from fantastic, at least give the sense that it’s a fun recording. That is not an endorsement since they are as annoying as rock vocals can get, but they fit in the sense of the whole package. It’s sleazy, crude, all that bullshit that rock n’ roll is. I have no problems getting into this for what it is. I have to admit, it has grown on me a bit — not to the point that I’d stand in the middle of the nearest university, pull down my pants and jerk off all the while singing “Die, die, die, motherfucker you got to die!” cos I’d do that anyways for attention.

The riffs are your standard rock fare, but they are actually rubbing me the right way. They are occasionally catchy and understanding is made of how to incorporate some musical hooks. I still can’t get over how lame the vocals and lyrics are, though. The drums sound very tight and I’m quite surprised at how I’m sometimes paying attention to what he’s playing rather than just tapping my foot because the 4/4 time does that to me. The guitar solos aren’t superfluous. When they’re there they are short and sweet and you don’t get the feeling that the guitarist is trying to increase the chances of appearing on a cover of Guitar World.

The tired state the genre is in becomes really evident in the lyrics, and they are pretty bad in my opinion. Not even the Hellacopters were immune from that occasionally. The vocals are bad/slightly annoying but weirdly they work out in the end. A very good plus is the production. It is good and clean, but lacking just a bit of bass. Mix is very balanced. They don’t play like they’re sloppy at all, they take this music seriously and make sure it’s as well done as possible. Don’t look for this band to be playing the nearest stadium, but the nearest dive bar or club.

In the end, these guys don’t suck nearly as much as the shitty moniker would make you think, or the fact that they play rock n’ roll these days. I don’t have much to add except this: I think they understand their limitations in the genre and don’t bother trying to experiment or push the envelope further. They play what they love and what they know. I should dock them a whole point because this is a metal site, but since they didn’t completely suck when I first put it on I think I can let it and my credibility as a metal reviewer slide only for a bit. Just remember, you’re not going to be blown away when you listen to it.

- Information
- Released: 2009
- Label: Sunny Bastards
- Website: Cowboy Prostitutes MySpace
- Band
- Luca Isabelle: vocals, bass
- Tobbe Johansson: guitar, backing vocals
- Lao: guitar
- Jonas Lewén: drums

- Tracklist
- 1. Rock n’ roll jail
- 2. Dancing on your grave
- 3. Pirate town
- 4. Crime city
- 5. Down the drain
- 6. Just as long
- 7. Traveling band
- 8. Pinpoints eyes
- 9. Rise
- 10. Roseline
- 11. Mr. Two Timing