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    The Phantom Tollbooth 2001/Cush
    Cush — E.P. cover

    Cush

    E.P.

    (2001)

    Reviewed by Brian A. Smith

    DiscogsYouTube
    Label Northern RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth2001
    garage rocknew wavepunk

    If you came of age in the late 80's/early 90's as I did, you will think Cush's EP is an undiscovered gem from that era. There are eight songs here that evoke memories of Echo & the Bunnymen, Love and Rockets, the 77s, the Ramones, and Steve Taylor.

    "Rev it Up" is an alternative song mixed with British punk with a dash of The Doors woven throughout. "Blessed to Kill" plows straight ahead, then references the Ramones by inserting "gabba gabba hey" into the chorus! "Sailing Sounds" is a pop song that uses Beatle-like transitions from verse to chorus. 80's alternative mixed with Steppenwolf guitar is the only way I can describe "A Rock and Roll King".

    "The Brightest Light" features vocals that recall Ian McCulloch's best work in Echo & The Bunnymen. Fantastic guitar work prevails through the entire project. I don't know if EP was meant to serve as a period piece, or just to show that great music can be made without following the current trends, but the eight songs here leave me hoping that Cush intends to release a full album, and that this isn't a one off. A welcome return to a better time in music.

    4 tocks

    Other coverage for this album

    The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Ken MuellerLast year's debut album from Cush proved to be one of the best albums of the year, bringing together a boatload of talent to produce a dreamy, trippy disc. Well this year, the band is back with a whole new sound. Previously available only to those who attended Cornerstone, the limited edition Cush e.p. will soon be available to those of you who couldn't make it to Bushnell. This time around, Cush…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Michial Farmer"The Super-Band Cush" is back with a limited-edition concept EP about the life and career of Michael Knott. Knott himself has left the group, taking with him the dreamy pop sound found on their debut, New Sound. In his place are a variety of vocalists, most notably The Violet Burning's Michael J. Pritzl and newcomer Scott Malone, who, along with the rest of the band, have switched to a 1970s…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Kerry MaffeoWhen in doubt, make it all-star. For Cush, the flame of music refused to die even when the bands the members were in disintegrated. From Prayer Chain to LSU to Adam Again and everything in between, this is healthy mesh of old-fashioned rock and art rock. The eight track EP opens with "Halo Sounds," a track reminiscent of a Prayer Chain song, which is not surprising. Each song carries traits of…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Trae CadenheadThe year 2000 brought us the debut album from Christian rock all-star band Cush. Composed of members of bands such as Prayer Chain, Honey, and Starflyer 59, and sporting lead singer Mike Knott, the band was a hit among long-time Christian rock listeners even before they released an album. That debut from Cush utilized a rather mellow, but very fresh and atmospheric sound. This year's second…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Bert GanglAlthough the colleagues of Cush hail from some of Christian music's most successful and revered alternative rock bands, tagging its collection of artists a supergroup seems somewhat of a misnomer. To be sure, the group's membership includes players from such highly esteemed alternative outfits as the Violet Burning, Duraluxe, Fold Zandura and the Prayer Chain, among others. But, in the words of…

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