Customer Reviews

Let It Go

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

OK, as most fans of the Galactic Cowboys know, the band has decided to break up--at least for the time being. So, this is their last album, and it's sad, because it is their best. It's not my style to describe a band by comparing them to other bands; but what I want to accomplish with this review, if possible, is to convince somebody who has never heard GC to buy this CD. Having said that, it was common to describe GC in the early days ('91-'92) as 'Metallica meets the Beatles' because of the fast & heavy, yet melodic nature of their music, especially the vocals. In recent years, beginning with their Machine Fish album, which was the first with current guitarist Wally Farkas (who produced Let It Go), their sound has softened a bit, with a more straight-ahead rock approach (more Cheap Trick meets Metallica meets the Beatles--if that's possible). Let It Go is the natural progression of this process, as this CD is their most diverse, melodic, and lyrically rich.

I won't go into too much detail about individual songs. This CD is less Ben Huggins (lead singer) and more Monty Colvin (bass/vocals) and Farkas (guitar/vocals). Monty's vocals are great (check out 'T.I.M.,' 'Swimming in December,' and the awesome 'Another Hill'). And speaking of 'Another Hill,' this is possibly the best song this band has ever performed. Farkas writes and sings another of the CD's best tracks, 'Life and Times.' His guitar playing has really improved since Machine Fish, and it is apparent on this album--his solos are top notch, and the rhythm sections are less pedestrian. According to a recent interview with Ben Huggins, Wally put in countless hours at the studio, and results are awesome.

I could go on and on, but I'll stop here. If I could sum up this CD in one word, it would be 'breathtaking.' It is truly an injustice that a band this good has to call it quits because of lack of exposure. Galactic Cowboys blow away 99% of the bands on the radio--especially hard radio--today. Like the lyrics in 'Disney's Spinnin''--'evil is what sells today.' And that's what sets GC apart--their music is honest, uplifting, with a positive, un-preachy, message. But this isn't what's cool in a music world ruled by Korn, Limp Bizkit, Marilyn Manson, etc. (But what about Creed you say? Get real!). Let It Go is the best new CD I've heard by any artist in a long time. I strongly recommend that you buy it, right now if possible.

Wow. I have to admit, when I heard all of the great reviews of this album, I was skeptical. After all, I have been a fan since the self-titled "first" album and have always regarded it as their best work.

Don't get me wrong. "At the End of the Day" and "Space in Your Face" and pretty much everything in-between were killer recordings. However, nothing compared to that original, unkempt power that flowed through that original LP.

That was, of course, until yesterday.

Here, finally, is an album that not only matches that first work, but surpasses it, laps it and mocks it as it crosses the finish line. A band who notoriously refuses to take itself too seriously, the Galatic Cowboys put together a CD that is an ocean of deep emotion, rising ballads and thunderous rockers - sometimes all in the same track!

The production values are definately the best to date. (I say that in hopes this is not truly their last album.)

This is a great album I do not see leaving my player for some time. Pick it up. Then, let it go!

Wow, what a way for a band to leave the music scene for awhile! If most of you haven't heard the Cowboys will return just not anytime soon...

But, Let It Go is an excellent album and as I've said before this is a MUST HAVE!!! "T.I.M", "A Different Way", "Disney's Spinnin" and of course "Hey Mr.", are some of the best tracks on this album. And the production done by Wally creates an overall sound that's out of this world! But to top it off, and what really makes this album great, is that if you ever wondered what the Cowboys would sound like with Jerry Gaskill as the visual timekeeper, this is the Galactic Cowboys album you can't do without!

And as always the Cowboys lyrics are what really make "the difference" (pardon the pun). I believe that they spoke what is truly in their hearts on "A Different Way" and it was really good to hear them continue to make that declaration (this album is not preachy, just truthful).

Get this album! All Galactic Cowboys and King's X fans will enjoy this finally project (thus far) by the Cowboys!

The Galactic Cowboys have been my favorite band since I discovered them in 1991. Why? Because they blend together heavy crunchy chunky sounds and Beatles-like vocal harmonies with cool hooks and phrases and sometimes very poetic (and always interesting) lyrics. They have been called "the intelligent fan's headbangers" and "the thinking man's metal."

This latest release is not their heaviest album ever, nor does it have the pop-ish radio-friendly songs the past couple did, but this one is their coolest music yet, I think. Wally Farkas's guitar solos on here are my favorites in the band's 7 CD history- they are relaxed, flowing, and smooth, yet they are very tasty and they rock! How does one do that? And the vocals are as interest-grabbing as always, with Ben, Wally, and Monty's distinctive voices blending together like peanut butter and chocolate in great harmony. Few bands have one good lead vocalist, and GC has three!

More eccentric, more quirky than past albums, and really put together well. The songs take you for a ride. You smile or laugh one minute, reflect quietly the next, and find yourself moshing around the room the next. And it's worth the price of the CD just to have bassist Monty Colvin's photography and album cover art which he paints.

I received my CD from Amazon exactly 10 hours ago and am listening to it for the 6th time. And it is still growing on me. What a band!

The Galactic Cowboys have never disappointed when it comes to fresh, wonderful music. Let It Go is no different! The band's final effort is filled with heart wrenching tunes like Wally Farkas' vocal debut on "Life and Times" to political commentary on "Hey, Mr.". Long time fans of this band are really going to miss the music, but the Cowboys left us with an album that will remain a favorite of mine for years to come.

This record is another fantastic effort from GC. The opening riff for "Disney's spinning" is simply great, especially after the little telephone message intro. The album has lots of great guitar, vocal harmonies, singable melodies and the power and intensity that I've come to expect from this terrific band. There are a few preachy lyrical moments, but the quality of the music is so good that I could care less. Wally Farkas (guitar, production) has really helped take this band to the next level, and Jerry Gaskill (King's X drummer) sounds right at home with the band.

It is a monumental injustice that this band has been ignored by mainstream radio, and its terribly disappointing to have learned that GC has broken up. Still, to anyone reading this post, I urge you to discover this band - if you like the intensity of metal, the beauty of melody and vocal harmonies, solid songwriting and a sense of humor, you will love the Galactic Cowboys.

It's always unfortunate when a great band doesn't get the recognition it deserves, but in the case of the Galactic Cowboys it's twice as hard to take. One of the few original bands to show it's face in the last decade has finally decided to call it quits after 11 years and what is now their seventh and final album. They've never gotten much airplay, which is amazing considering the fact that they pack some of the strongest melodic punches ever recorded. With 'Let It Go', almost all of the 17 songs could garner massive airplay and keep you humming for days. The songs here show what GC does best, great hooks, amazing harmonized vocals and songs that just blow you away. All three remaining band members contributed to the songwriting, with guitarist Wally Farkas taking two vocal leads that make one anxious to hear his future solo projects. As usual, the songs cover a wide range of topics from politics, religion, life's hardships, and hope for the future...and as always, they set the bar higher for aspiring lyricists everywhere. Former drummer Alan Doss helped with the recording process, but King's X drummer Jerry Gaskill pounded the massives beats for the album. If you've never listened the the Cowboys before, make their last effort your first experience...you'll be hooked!

Great farewell CD! This disc has 17 rockin' tracks and each one is awesome. This is probably their best CD since Machine Fish. Highlights include T.I.M. and Disney's Spinnin'. The opening track is a biting and hilarious commentary on how bands change to seem hip in the 21st century. And the closing track is a fitting cacophony of sounds from this always inventive group. It's too bad they never got the acclaim or records sales they deserved. And it's really too bad that this will probably be their last release ever. Buy this one and you won't be disappointed!

If I had to some this album up in one word, it would be "WOW".

This album is incredible, one of the best ever in my humble opinion. The songs, the singing, the production, the sound...unbelievable.

I got into the GC's in the late '90's after first seeing them open for King's X in a club, and I bought their then-current album, "At The End Of The Day". I like that album quite a bit, so I finally got around to buying most of their other albums in 2008, including this one.

I have heard and read excellent comments and reviews about their other albums, but I myself was not overwhelmed with the other albums, even "Space In Your Face". I began listening to "Let It Go" with some reserve, thinking that it might be another "pretty good, but not great" album. Was I wrong!

As other reviewers here have said, this album is more mature, the song writing more complex (and way better), the production much stronger, compared to their other albums. (Although, the song writing was also on a different level -- more mature -- on "At The End Of The Day".)

Don't get me wrong -- this album still kicks butt. I love the guitar sound and the incredible way their vocals sound as they harmonize together. Wally Farkas did an unbelievable job producing this album!

I'm also not a huge fan of Ben Huggins' vocals, so I'm very glad to hear Monty singing most of the leads on this album's tunes. No offense against Ben, but the songs on this album sound better sung by Monty, and in fact these songs are much better fits for Monty's voice.

I continue to listen to this album on a frequent basis even though I've owned it for a while now. That's about the best tribute I can give to this great masterpiece.

The is the way I would hope to end any endeavor: on top, excelling, smashing thru the finish line, not crawling. Too bad the perennial grand-dad bands, The Rolling Stones & Aerosmith, haven't figured out this lesson.

I've got this album flowing thru my speakers as I write this, and I am slack-jawed, on the 700+th listen. Who is Reuben, anyway?

Their senses of humor are wildly evident, their clear-minded and appropriately-balance cynicism against Pop and "Normal", their insight, and--of course--the driving music all impress me.

I'm just completely annoyed that I discovered them (for myself) as this album was released. Perhaps someday I'll get ahead of the curve.

Good luck, Cowboys, as you ride off into the Sunset!!