THE KOSMOS

THE KOSMOS



The Kosmos are definitely trying to capture a specific sound. In the last 10 years or so there has been a wave of fashionistas who are generally urban based indie bands harking back to The Verve and latterly Richard Ashcroft, followed by bands like The Libertines, The Charlatans and and on through Babyshambles, The Zutons, The Magic Numbers and others where the notion of polished songwriting and high gloss production was replaced in favour of a more eclectic, earthy, unpolished almost 'anti production' sound, harking back to days of The Stooges and The Kinks era of of 'independance'. Sometimes its worked spectacularly well (Richard Ashcroft is without doubt an iconic songwriter who's stark poetic songs need little polishing) and in others its been a dubious battle of style over substance (Pete Doherty).
The Kosmos style finds themselves somewhere between all of these influences and it can be a bit hit and miss in quality. Clearly led from the front by singer Andrew Crayford who, from listening to the the songwriting and seeing his look is unmistakably influenced by the afore-mentioned Mr Ashcroft. From the 60's stylings and jangly indie guitar combo of the Sgt Pepper-esque 'Silent body language' to the Charlatan feel of 'Come down' to his own nod in the direction of Bitter Sweet Symphony in 'Save me' or the best of the bunch 'Evelyn', which strips back the previously rather ragged band to a much more palatable and haunting solo ballad that is head and shoulders above the rest of whats on offer.

"There are definitely some notable highs and lows in quality of The Kosmos offerings and when they fully discovers their own style and polishe up the music production they will be a very creditable band"

Review by Drumhead

RANK: **** 4 out of 6

www.myspace.com/kosmos7