THE COSMIC TRIP ADVISORS: Wrong Again Albert/ Same, Same... But Different (ROCK,Blues): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

The Cosmic Trip Advisors is a young Scottish band formed in 2019 which presents its first (double) album in early 2021. In reality, it is rather twice the same CD in two different formats. "Wrong Again Albert" was recorded in January 2019 in two days, the band humorously admitting that the 11 tracks on the album were the only ones they could play. The record was released in June 2019 but the band had the idea to re-record the 11 tracks after six months of rehearsal and with a new bassist and to offer a raw cast version, recorded in one take and without overdubs. It is thus the same 11 tracks under two different approaches which are proposed to the listener with "Wrong Again Albert" and "Same, Same... But Different".

On the musical content side, The Cosmic Trip Advisors plays a mix of rock and blues, sometimes slightly spiced with hard rock. The melodies, classic for this type of album, are nevertheless pleasant to listen to, alternating punchy tracks ('Oh My My My My!', 'Sleazy Does It', 'Ledz Boogie', 'Firecracker Blues') and softer ballads ('Such Is Life', 'Feeling Low', 'Bottle In Me'). Some of the tracks are reminiscent of Led Zeppelin from afar: 'Such Is Life', acoustic guitar/voice duo, echoes similar acoustic ballads on 'Led Zeppelin III' and the final section of 'Firecracker Blues' is similar to some of the London band's work. And shouldn't we see in 'Ledz Boogie' a kind of homage, the "Ledz" of the title evoking the famous airship?

However, one should not expect a Greta Van Fleet clone. These are pleasant fragrances that come to flavor a classic rock, often dynamic without being aggressive. But to distinguish itself from the all-rounders, The Cosmic Trip Advisors has two assets. The first is the presence of an organ whose psychedelic chords and arpeggios cover almost all the tracks. The second is called Lesley Muir. The broken voice of the singer is the focal point on which the listener's attention is focused, giving the songs a warm and slightly sexy feel.

If the versions of "Same, Same... But Different" are slightly longer than those of "Wrong Again Albert", the melodies remain very faithful to the original album, the differences in length being mainly due to a few exchanges between musicians or to slightly lengthened introductions. The essential differences lie in the sound recording and the way Lesley Muir sings. "Same, Same... But Different" benefits from a clearer sound recording, with cleaner guitar attacks and an organ recorded more forward, better highlighted. The vocals are less round, harsher and more aggressive, supported by incisive guitars. What the second version gains in clarity and sharpness, it loses in roundness.

Thus, according to the listener's taste, or according to the mood of the day, one will prefer the raw version for its clearer and wilder character or the reworked version for its sound and interpretation. And since "Same, Same... But Different" is offered as a bonus to "Wrong Again Albert", it would be a shame to miss it. - Official website

THE COSMIC TRIP ADVISORS

WRONG AGAIN ALBERT/ SAME, SAME... BUT DIFFERENT

BAD REPUTATION

ROCK