Released
1997
Label
Nangijala
Reviewed by
Michael C. Lund
Contact
Nangijala
Records
Umeagatan 4A
252 77 Helsingborg
Sweden
Visit
Nangijala Records
Last Edit/Update
06 september, 1998
Dark Side Cowboys
DISCLOSURE
Track Listing
Act 1
- Destructive part
Autumn Song
Stars
Goddess
Creation
Naked
Act 2
- A revolution
Opening
Disclosure
Close
Act 3
- Rebuilding phase
Summer Part IV
Paralyzed
Come Alive
Corny
Dark Side Cowboys' second full length Disclosure came out last
year, and it is an album that displays this Swedish band's ability to turn out strongly
hit-oriented "rock" songs, as well as their ambition to go beyond this, and
create something more original and lasting. Disclosure is structured like a forties
gumshoe mystery, with the songs divided into three acts, and the perennial "to be
continued..." flashed at the end. The main musical framework is rooted in
industrial/metal, but Dark Side Cowboys incorporate elements of just
about every other musical genre into their unique style. American folk, blues and jazz
make brief appearances, and nicely heighten the detective elements of the album's story;
classical piano arrangements are likewise used throughout, especially as interludes
between the various acts; and, above all, the band weaves elements of many of the modern
alternative sub-genres into their metallic alloy -- with goth, synth-pop and new wave
being only some of the more prominent stylistic ingredients in Dark Side Cowboys'
spicy musical stew.
The paradox of Disclosure is
that it is really best experienced in its entirety, yet, it is also a difficult CD to sit
through all the way on the first couple of listens. Whereas songs like "Autumn
Song," "Stars" and "Disclosure" are immediately compelling with
their melodic qualities and strong refrains, they are of course only scenes in Dark
Side Cowboys' musical movie, and the truly rewarding thing about the CD on
repeated listens is its changes in musical mode and mood. However, these same changes also
make Disclosure somewhat difficult to listen to -- especially the final act, which
is the most theatrical and unconventional.
Disclosure should be
listened to with commitment -- one should sit down for the hour of its duration, and let
the music speak, as one would sit down for an episode of "Twin Peaks" or
"X-Files." And, even if the CD's story may be difficult to follow (a
lyric sheet would have been nice), the very arrangements of the songs do tell a story
all on their own. The musing vocals, and mercurial guitars and drums guide the story, with
the piano weaving in and out of the album like the elusive answer to the mystery itself. A
female voice appears on a couple of songs like some much anticipated supporting actress,
synths are used sparsely to accentuate mood on some tracks -- the special effects of Disclosure,
and the saxophone adds nice color at times, not unlike the cameo appearance of a
well-known and respected actor. All in all a really nice work that is no less entertaining
or intriguing than many a movie on TV.
Disclosure is apparently
only the first installment of a greater work, the second part of which should soon be out.
A very promising EP UnfortuNathalie
with material from this forthcoming Disclosure II was already released earlier this
year by the Swedish label Nangijala, which also made Disclosure
available.
