Galactic Cowboys

Item: Let It Go
Author: Marco Povervest

Let It Go

(2000)

Reviewed by Marco Povervest

Discogs Apple Music TIDAL Spotify

Label Metal Blade RecordsArt for the Ears2000

alternative metal hard rock power pop progressive metal

What we've got here is the swansong of a phenomenal band from Houston, USA. The title is Let It Go. An appropriate title for such an album and the cover shows a black-and-white photo of a sad looking boy holding three full color balloons in his right hand. The back of the CD shows the boy painted in full screaming colors. He just released the balloons and he's going nuts with the tongue out of his mouth (what a tongue! That would even make Gene Simmons jealous!). Perhaps this is the way the Cowboys feel about their decision to disband: Sad before doing so and feeling the release and go crazy about it after it, as if it's a relief. On Let It Go you can hear Jerry Gaskill (of King's X) as a guest-drummer on ten of the songs. The other drum-parts were taken care of by Wally Farkas, Ben Huggins and another guest: Nano Jones. Just like previous albums this album contains quality metallic rock-songs with thoughtful lyrics and harmonic vocals. That's not surprising me anymore. What is surprising is the variety this time, including a fully acoustic song (Ordinary) and an aggressive hard hitter entitled Internalize. Overall I think this album is smoother than the others. It's not as raw edged as the older stuff. The disbanding is sung about in songs like The Record Ends and Swimming In December: "Eleven years of wonder; I never figured out; The one who knows the score; But I'm not playing anymore." A great band passed away. Hats and baseball caps off!